Greg Tabor / Courtesy photo
Fayetteville Police Chief Greg Tabor has retired after over 34 years with the city.
Tabor submitted his resignation letter on Aug. 19, but had publicly spoken about his pending retirement in the preceding months. His last day at work was Sept. 20.
Deputy Chief Mike Reynolds was set to serve as interim chief, but Mayor Lioneld Jordan waited only two days before announcing Reynolds as the new permanent chief.
Tabor joined the Fayetteville department in 1985 as a morning shift patrol officer. He was then transferred to the K-9 division where he worked for several years, eventually becoming a certified police dog trainer and training canines for other departments around the state. Tabor continued to advance in rank at the department serving in roles such as drug task force, jail administration and criminal investigation. He was promoted to police chief in 2006.
He has also served on the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police Board for the past nine years and the University of Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute Board for the past three years.
Prior to his work in Fayetteville, Tabor was a firefighter in Eureka Springs and worked as a deputy for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Jordan said he could always depend on Tabor to be dedicated, conscientious, straightforward, and collaborative with the administration. Jordan said he appreciated Tabor’s calm demeanor and quick acceptance to work on challenging, serious, and complex situations.
“Chief Tabor has made the Fayetteville Police Department one of the most progressive and responsive police departments in the state,” said Jordan. “It has been an honor to work with him. And as much as I will miss him, I know that the department’s excellence will be maintained because of the foundation established by Chief Tabor.”
Reynolds appointed new chief
Mike Reynolds / Courtesy
Jordan’s appointment of Reynolds as new chief is effective immediately.
Jordan said he expects Reynolds to build upon the foundation set by Tabor.
“Over the many years I have known and worked with Chief Reynolds, I have found him to be highly intelligent, direct, hardworking and always looking to bring new ideas on board to advance the work of the Fayetteville Police Department,” said Jordan. “Mike has a great sense of empathy and is always willing to look at different points of view, listen, gather facts and make thoughtful, educated decisions. I believe the best days of the police department lie ahead under his leadership.”
Reynolds began his law enforcement career in Fayetteville in July 1993. He has since served in many capacities, including patrol officer, field training officer, and detective. Reynolds was promoted to his first supervisory rank of sergeant in March 2000, and has risen through the ranks by serving as lieutenant, captain, and deputy chief of police. For the past eight years, Reynolds has been responsible for the management of the police department’s operations, including its officers, detectives, records management, dispatch and evidence.
Reynolds is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police where he serves as chairman of the legislative committee. He is also chairman of the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program for the State of Arkansas, and he serves on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Board for the Northwest Arkansas Crisis Stabilization Board.
