(LITTLE ROCK) – The Arkansas State Police Commission has approved the recommendations of Colonel Stan Witt, State Police Director, to promote nine State Troopers to fill supervisory positions within three of the department’s four divisions. Lieutenant Steve Coppinger, 50, of Fayetteville, was promoted to the rank of captain.
Captain Coppinger will be assigned as assistant division commander of the State Police Criminal Investigation Division. He is a 16 year veteran of the department and most recently has worked as commander of CID, Company D, headquartered at Fort Smith. Sergeant Jason Aaron, 37, of Van Buren, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Lieutenant Aaron will be assigned as commander of CID, Company E, headquartered at Harrison. He is a 14 year veteran of the department and most recently has worked as a post supervisor assigned to Highway Patrol Division, Troop H. Special Agent (Corporal) Ken Whillock, 45, of Gentry, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Whillock will be assigned to a supervisory position in CID, Company D, headquartered at Fort Smith. He is a 17 year veteran of the department and most recently has worked as a field agent assigned to CID, Company D. Corporal Elvis Mull, 44, of Little Rock, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Mull will be assigned to a post supervisor position in Highway Patrol Division, Troop A, headquartered at Little Rock. He is a 14 year veteran of the department most recently assigned to patrol duties in Troop A. Corporal John “Scott” Joe, 42, of Royal, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Joe will be assigned to post supervisor duties in Highway Patrol Division, Troop H, headquartered at Fort Smith. He is a 14 year veteran of the department most recently assigned to patrol duties in Troop K, headquartered in Hot Springs. Corporal Ben Cross, 43, of Dover, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Cross will be assigned to post supervisor duties in Highway Patrol Division, Troop J, headquartered at Clarksville. He is a 17 year veteran of the department most recently assigned to patrol duties in Troop J. Corporal Chad Hipps, 41, of Berryville, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Hipps will be assigned to post supervisor duties in Highway Patrol Division, Troop L, headquartered at Springdale. He is a 14 year veteran of the department most recently assigned to patrol duties in Troop L. Corporal Daniel Nichols, 42, of Clarksville, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Nichols will be assigned to post supervisor duties in Highway Patrol Division, Troop L, headquartered at Springdale. He is a 15 year veteran of the department most recently assigned to patrol duties in Troop J. Corporal Michael Wallace 39, of Benton, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Wallace will be assigned to the department’s Regulatory and Building Operations Division, Maintenance and Inmate Services Section in Little Rock. He is a 13 year veteran of the department most recently assigned to the Administrative Services Division, Training Section.