Sixteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Eric Hance announced in a media release today that Tommy Cleveland has been appointed as the new Commander of the district’s Drug Task Force.
The position was recently vacated by Jack Yancey, who had served in that role since Jan. 1, 2019. Yancey left the position to complete the unexpired term of Izard County Sheriff Earnie Blackley who died in office earlier this year.
“We are very fortunate that someone with Tommy Cleveland’s character and experience has agreed to lead the Drug Task Force in our drug interdiction efforts in the five counties of the 16th Judicial District,” Hance said.
Cleveland began his law enforcement career as a patrolman in Lake Charles, La. and later held the same position for the Little Rock Police Department. He soon went to work for the Arkansas State Police, where he worked for 32 years, working in the criminal investigation division for the last 20 years. He was initially assigned to assist local agencies with major crimes in Stone, Izard, Fulton, and surrounding counties.
Cleveland retired from the ASP with the rank of Captain, having supervised the criminal investigation division for the western region of Arkansas. At the time of his appointment as Commander of the 16th Judicial District DTF, Cleveland was serving as a fire detection pilot during dry weather for the Arkansas Forestry Department.
“I am honored to be asked to be a part of the Drug Task Force and just want to continue and build on the good work they have been doing,” Cleveland said.
The 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force assists law enforcement agencies in Independence, Cleburne, Stone, Izard, and Fulton Counties.
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