Little Rock mayor picks Keith Humphrey as new police chief

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott has chosen Keith Humphrey as the city’s new chief of police.

Scott said at a news conference Thursday he selected the Norman, Oklahoma, police chief and former chief of Lancaster, Texas, after consulting with police officers, community members and leaders, the Fraternal Order of Police and the city’s Black Police Officers Association.

Tearing up, Humphrey said he is humbled by the opportunity and wants to make Little Rock the nation’s safest city.

Humphrey, who Scott says will start by April 22, says he’ll spend his first 100 days listening to officers and community members to see what can be improved. He also says he will live inside the city.

Former police chief Kenton Buckner stepped down in November to head the Syracuse, New York, department.