On September 30, 2021, Captain Ray Shastid was selected as the new Chief of Police for the Bentonville Police Department.

Captain Shastid previously led the Operations Division at the Bentonville Police Department and has served the Rogers and Bentonville community for the last 21 years in various law enforcement capacities and leadership positions. Shastid has served the Bentonville Police Department since 2003, as a SWAT Team Commander, K9 Handler, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. He also served in the US Marine Corps Reserve as a Platoon Sergeant from 2003 – 2018. He served as a Police Officer for the Rogers Police Department from 2000 – 2003.

Chief Shastid is replacing Chief Jon Simpson who retired from the department on September 30, 2021, finishing a 27-year career with the Bentonville Police Department.

 Mayor Stephanie Orman said, “Chief Shastid has demonstrated a career of integrity and exemplary service and we are fortunate to have someone with his level of expertise lead the Bentonville Police Department.”

More than 30 applicants applied for the Chief of Police position and a five-member selection committee was chosen to participate in the interview process. Chief Ray Shastid assumes the role effective October 1, 2021.

Bentonville Police Chief Jon Simpson has announced his retirement after serving 27 years with the Bentonville Police Department. His last day on the job was September 30, 2021. 

Chief Simpson is a native of Bentonville and a graduate of Bentonville High School. He started his career with the City of Bentonville in 1994 as a Patrol Officer after graduating from the University of Arkansas.  Prior to employment with the City, Simpson worked for the security division of Walmart Stores Inc. for 4 years.

Chief Simpson was named Officer of Year in 1996.  He has served in some sort of supervisory capacity at the Police Department in both the Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions since 1997. He was promoted to a Command Staff Member in 2006 and appointed as Chief in 2011.

Some of Chief Simpson’s major accomplishments include reorganizing the rank structure, adding personnel, adding supervisory positions, upgrading vehicles and equipment, renovating the existing 1996 police facility, creating a dedicated bomb squad facility, and most recently overseeing the development of a new Emergency Communication Center, Emergency Operations Center, and Criminal Investigation Building.

Bentonville Mayor Stephanie Orman says, “Chief Simpson’s long and distinguished career is a testament to his commitment to make Bentonville a safe and secure community. I want to congratulate Chief Simpson on his many years of dedicated service to the City of Bentonville and wish him well in his retirement.”

Chief Ray Shastid 

Chief of Police Dates: October 1, 2021 - Current

Chief Jon Simpson

Chief of Police Dates: 2011-2021

Chief James Allen

Chief of Police Dates: 1989-2011

Chief Dan L. Moody

Chief of Police Dates: 1977-1989

Chief John Black 

Chief of Police Dates: 1973-1977

Chief Craig Holt

Chief of Police Dates: 1969-1973

Chief Calvin Dillow

Chief of Police Dates: 1966-1969

Chief Paul Brewer

Chief of Police Dates: 1958-1966

Chief Hugh "Tater" Black

Chief of Police Dates: 1950-1958