Shawn Garner, a twenty-five year veteran of the Arkansas State Police, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.  Garner will assume the duties of deputy director for field operations.

  The recommendation for promotion was presented for consideration today to the Arkansas State Police Commission.  In making the recommendation before the commission, Colonel Bill Bryant, Director of the Arkansas State Police stated, “The day to day operations of the State Police are overwhelming by any standard and we face more challenges than ever before. The promotion of Shawn Garner will reinforce our command and control, ensuring we are providing the services the people of Arkansas want and need as well as setting our sights toward future goals.”

  Lieutenant Colonel Garner, 51, of Hot Springs will be one of two deputy directors working directly under the command of Colonel Bryant.  His duties will be the senior commander of the department’s Highway Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division and Crimes Against Children Division.

  Garner was commissioned as an Arkansas State Trooper assigned to Poinsett County in 1990 and remained in the Highway Patrol Division until 1995, when he transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division.  In 1999 he was promoted to the rank of sergeant assigned to the Highway Patrol Division, Troop A headquartered at Little Rock, later transferring to Troop K headquartered at Hot Springs.

  Garner was promoted to lieutenant in 2007, and five years later promoted to captain at Troop K.

  In 2103, Garner was promoted to the rank of major, assuming duties as a regional commander within the Highway Patrol Division.

  Lieutenant Colonel Tim K’nuckles, a thirty year veteran of the department and promoted to his current rank as deputy director in 2007, will continue to serve under the direct command of the State Police Director and will be the senior commander of the department’s Administrative Services Division, Regulatory & Building Operations Division as well as the State Police Fiscal Operations, Office of Professional Standards, Information Technology, Grants, Fleet and Highway Safety Sections.

  Four other promotions were also approved today by the State Police Commission:

  Sergeant Randall Dias, 49, of Ozark, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

  Dias, a twenty-one year veteran of the State Police, most recently has served as a post supervisor assigned to the Highway Patrol Division, Troop H, headquartered at Fort Smith.  He will assume new duties as assistant troop commander of Highway Patrol Division, Troop E, headquartered at Pine Bluff.

  Sergeant Ronnie Qualls, 45, of Batesville, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

  Qualls, a seventeen year veteran of the State Police, most recently has served as a post supervisor assigned to the Highway Patrol Division, Troop B headquartered at Newport.  He will assume new duties as assistant troop commander of Highway Patrol Division, Troop I, headquartered at Harrison.

  Corporal Lori Whillock, 52, of Gentry, was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

  Whillock, a seventeen year veteran of the State Police, most recently has served in the Highway Patrol Division, Troop L, headquartered at Springdale.  She will assume new duties as a Special Agent supervisor assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, Company B, headquartered at Pine Bluff.

  Corporal Jack Young, 37, of Fordyce, was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

  Young, a ten year veteran of the State Police, most recently has served in the Highway Patrol Division, Troop F, headquartered at Warren.  He will assume post supervisor duties assigned to Highway Patrol Division, Troop E, headquartered at Pine Bluff.