A commander with the Lonoke County sheriff’s office will become the city of Lonoke’s police chief early next year, authorities said.
Lt. Matt Edwards, commander of the sheriff’s office criminal investigation division, will become the chief of the Lonoke Police Department on Jan. 6, 2020, according to a statement by Sheriff John Staley.
Edwards, a graduate of Lonoke High School and current resident of the city, has nearly 20 years of law enforcement experience, according to a Tuesday news release from the mayor’s office.
“Without a doubt, Matt is the right fit for our city,” Mayor Trae Reed said in the release. “He represents a new way of professional policing and we’re excited to see his vision for the LPD.”
The previous chief, Randy Mauk, retired at the end of September and Capt. Steven Holt has been serving as the department’s interim leader.
Edwards, who has also served as a spokesman for the sheriff’s office, is currently finishing a 10-week training at the FBI National Academy, according to the city.
Staley said he was glad to see Edwards take on his new role.
“As sheriff, it truly is an honor and makes you proud to see leaders from your administration become [chief] and take other leadership roles.”
Holt, the interim chief, said Mauk had been chief for roughly two years but had put in a total of 24 years of service to the city, and that he’d learned much serving alongside him.
“[Mauk is] just going to move onto the next chapter,” he said. “He will be missed.”