(LITTLE ROCK) – During a meeting of the Arkansas State Police Commission today, the positions of two lieutenants and one sergeant were considered for promotions.  The commission followed the recommendations of Colonel Stan Witt, Director of the Arkansas State Police, to promote the following Arkansas State Troopers:

  Sergeant Dennis Overton, 46, of Hot Springs was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

  Lieutenant Overton is a seventeen year veteran of the department and is currently assigned to the Highway Patrol Division administrative office.  He will now command the Arkansas State Interdiction and Criminal Patrol Unit.

  Sergeant Paulette Ward, 44, of Little Rock was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

  Lieutenant Ward is a seventeen year veteran of the department currently serving in the Office Professional Standards.  She will remain in the OPS Unit as its commander.

  Corporal Mike Dawson, 47, of Maumelle was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

  Sergeant Dawson is an eighteen year veteran of the department currently assigned to the State Fire Marshal Office.  He will remain there as a section supervisor.

  The State Police Commission also approved a recommendation to restore the rank of major to Colonel Stan Witt effective next week following an oath of office ceremony for newly appointed State Police Director Bill Bryant.  In August of 2012 upon his appointment as Director of the Arkansas State Police, Colonel Witt held the rank of major and was commander of the department’s Administrative Services Division.