Speed Estep appointed interim PD chief 's post

GRAVETTE -Gravette Mayor Byron Warren last week named Officer Speed Estep to serve as interim police chief for the city.

Estep has been a member of the department 21 years, including serving as resource officer at Gravette Schools for several years.

Warren said Estep will be filling the chief position until a permanent chief is named in July.

Gravette fire chief David Smith, who also serves as building inspector, has been volunteering his time as interim chief. Warren said he named him to that position Jan. 10 and “that Smith has been serving at no additional cost to the city.”

“Like Smith, Estep will serve on a strictly volunteer basis; there will be no adjustments to the 2013 city operating budget regarding the change in command,” the mayor said.

The mayor added, “Due to the recent surge of new and existing construction projects throughout the city, as well as growth and expansion that continues in the fire department, David feels he will best serve the city by focusing on his duties as fire chief.”

Warren said the city has received some expressions of interest and applications for the chief position following the retirement of Trent Morrsion as chief last October.