Van Buren Police Department

09/02/2026

Statement from Chief Jonathan Wear

Over the past several weeks, the Van Buren Police Department has been reviewing and strengthening our policies and controls regarding the use of license plate reader cameras. As part of that effort, we have implemented the following restrictions:

Data retention has been reduced to seven days.

Access to the system has been limited. Direct access is restricted to Van Buren Police Department employees, with outside search access limited to law enforcement agencies within the State of Arkansas.

Searches are restricted to specific law enforcement purposes, including felony investigations, missing persons cases, warrants, narcotics investigations, certain misdemeanor theft cases, and certain domestic battery cases occurring within 12 hours of the reported incident. Any access outside of these parameters will require documented approval from the Chief of Police.

We are continuing discussions with legislators, city leaders, and members of our community to ensure we appropriately balance the public safety benefits of this technology with the privacy concerns and expectations of the citizens we serve.

The Van Buren Police Department understands that technology used in law enforcement must be accompanied by appropriate safeguards, accountability, and responsible oversight. We will continue to evaluate our policies and practices as we work to ensure this technology is used appropriately and for legitimate public safety purposes.

Finally, our commitment remains unchanged: to serve the citizens of Van Buren, protect their rights, and keep our community safe.

09/02/2026

📢 NOW HIRING: RECEPTIONIST
The Van Buren Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Receptionist!

💼 Starting Salary: $44,044.80 annually

Benefits include:
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement benefits

After one year of employment, employees may also be eligible for:
• Longevity pay
• College incentive pay of up to $1,500 annually
• Secondary language incentive pay of up to $900 annually

📅 Application Deadline: September 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Applications are available at the Van Buren Police Department Information Desk, located at 800 Fayetteville Road, during business hours. Application packets may also be requested by emailing: [email protected]

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, possess a valid driver's license, have a high school diploma or GED, and have no disqualifying criminal convictions.

📌 Please note: Completed, notarized applications and required waivers must be returned to the Van Buren Police Department or scanned and emailed to: [email protected]
Photos of applications will not be accepted.

08/18/2026

Join us for the 2026 Citizens Police Academy Fall Session! Dinner is served each night too!

08/12/2026

The Van Buren Police Department is seeking your assistance to identify the subject and vehicle in the photos below in reference to an open investigation.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Corporal Stephenson at 479-471-5099.

You may choose to remain anonymous.

08/04/2026

07/31/2026

Please join us in congratulating Officer Angel Paredes on graduating today from the East Camden Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy!

After successfully completing 13 weeks of intensive training, Officer Paredes also earned 1st Place in Physical Fitness!

Congratulations, Officer Paredes! We are proud to have you as part of the Van Buren Police Department and look forward to your continued service to our community.

07/27/2026

Congratulations to Corporal Grill on being recognized as our Officer of the Quarter!

07/23/2026

Today, we celebrate the retirement of Sergeant Jimmy Blount after 25 years of service with the Van Buren Police Department.

Jimmy joined the department on August 1, 2001, and over the last 25 years has worn many hats while serving our community. He was promoted to Corporal in January 2011 and to Sergeant in July 2022. Throughout his career, he earned multiple Top Shooter awards and even played a role in the arrest of an America's Most Wanted fugitive.

No matter the assignment, Jimmy always showed up ready to work. His dedication to the department, his fellow officers, and the citizens of Van Buren has never gone unnoticed. Over the years, he built a career anyone would be proud of and made a lasting impact on our department.

While his accomplishments are impressive, those who had the privilege of working alongside Jimmy will remember him most for his steady leadership, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and willingness to help others. He has been a respected mentor, a trusted supervisor, and a friend to many within our department. Simply put, he has been a joy to work with, and his presence will be greatly missed.

As Jimmy begins this well-earned retirement, we hope he enjoys every minute of it with his wife and four daughters, whether he's working on the ranch, spending time at the sawmill, or making memories with his family.

Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Jimmy Blount on an outstanding 25-year career and wishing him nothing but happiness, good health, and success in this next chapter.

07/22/2026

**SUBJECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED***

The Van Buren Police Department is seeking your assistance identify the male in these photos in reference to an open investigation.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Adams at 479-471-5057.

You may choose to remain anonymous.