Four officers with the El Dorado Police Department were promoted in a ceremony at the station yesterday afternoon.
Police Chief Kenny Hickman spoke about the officers — now Sgt. Sam Bennett, Lt. Jarod Primm, Lt. Steve Adams and Capt. Scott Harwell — in very positive terms.
"You know, you think about a lot of things you want to say about the people [we're promoting], and I really struggle with that, because any words don't ever seem good enough," Hickman said. "There are just so many things — you think of scenarios, times you've been with them, things you've been impressed by about their character and about the way they do the job — and none of them seem to encapsulate how good it really is."
Hickman said during the interview process for the promotions, Harwell promised that regardless of whether he did receive a promotion, he would stay on the force; Hickman commended his enthusiasm for the job. Harwell was previously a lieutenant in the Criminal Investigation Division.
"When you make that rank [captain], your world goes 90 miles an hour constantly … At the end of the day, you kind of feel like a cat in the dryer. A captain's job is incredibly demanding," Hickman said. "Getting an opportunity to work with you is one of the greatest privileges of my life."
Adams, Hickman said, is full of integrity. Before yesterday's promotion, Adams was a sergeant in the CID.
"Steve's always been one of those high-character guys, with a tremendous amount of integrity," Hickman said. "I've been looking forward to the day we’d promote you, buddy.”
Primm, Hickman said, had shown that he was ready for a promotion after working in the Narcotics Division for ayear and then returning to the Patrol Division a changed man. Primm was a sergeant in the Patrol Division before his promotion.
"He came out and when he was back in Patrol as a sergeant, we were like 'oh my gosh. This man's grown,'" Hickman said. "There are certain people that shine when they have more responsibility. You have thus far; continue doing that.”
Hickman said one of the main qualities he looked for when interviewing candidates for promotion was whether they could work independently and be themselves. He said Bennett exemplified that trait. Bennett was previously a patrolman.
"He ain't just pretty. He knows how to handle himself," Hickman said. "One of the things about Sam Bennett that I really like … is that Sam Bennett is Sam Bennett. Sometimes people come in and put that badge on, put that gun on and they start walking a certain way and they start acting a certain way because they want to be like what they think a cop ought to be; but Sam Bennett is Sam Bennett.”
Hickman also offered advice to the newly promoted officers, telling them to remember the influence they hold in the department and over their subordinate officers and to give those subordinate officers the same chance they had to distinguish themselves.
"Value the influence you hold, because if sergeants and lieutenants don't buy in, it won't happen. Y'all are in the foxhole," Hickman said. "And give people, your subordinates, the same kind of elbow room you wanted when you were subordinate."
Capt. Michael Leveritt, captain of the Patrol Division, said he's proud of his officers.
"I'm happy to have them in the division and I'm looking forward to their leadership and good work," he said.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].