The Bella Vista City Council voted unanimously in favor of a temporary officer position to allow an overlap for an incoming lieutenant during a special meeting Monday, May 14.
Police chief James Graves said this will allow a transition period between incoming Lt. Byron Stival and Lt. Barbara Shrum, who is retiring after 35 years.
Shrum currently leads the criminal investigative division, while Stival is coming from the Bentonville Police Department. Graves said the lieutenant is new to Bella Vista but has 10 years' experience.
"I'd like to have a transition period where they can work together," Graves said. "That's a very complicated position."
The transition period, he said, would go from May 21 to June 1, just under two weeks.
Council member Linda Lloyd expressed her approval.
"That sounds like a good idea," she said.
General News on 05/16/2018