POCAHONTAS, AR May 12– Dr. Martin Eggensperger, Black River Technical College president, invites BRTC faculty, staff, students, and members of the community to attend a public presentation from each of the three finalists for the position of Law Enforcement Training Academy Director.
All three presentations will be on Wednesday, May 18. At 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., each candidate will give a presentation then answer questions from the audience. All activities will take place in the Randolph County Development Center on the Pocahontas campus of Black River Technical College.
Derrick Threadgill, NW Field Services Division Supervisor with the Little Rock Police Department, will speak at 8:00 a.m. In addition to graduating from the Little Rock Police Department’s Training Academy, Threadgill graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (F.L.E.T.C.) as well as the US Department of Veteran Affairs’ Law Enforcement Training Center. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Arts in Business Organizational Security Management from Webster University. Threadgill is also a certified Law Enforcement Instructor through the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. In 2010, Threadgill was appointed by Governor Beebe and reappointed by Governor Hutchinson (2021 – present) to serve on the Arkansas Sex Offender Assessment Committee (SOAC). He is an integral member of his community and actively serves as speaker, presenter, instructional assistant, and judicial officer for various events.
Brandon Harper, Director of Operations for Blytheville School District, will give his presentation at 12:00 p.m. As Director of Operations for Blytheville School District, Harper’s responsibilities include management of various department personnel involved with the daily operation of the district: safety and security, facilities maintenance, transportation and food services. In addition, he is responsible for department budgets, capital improvements, fleet management, and regulatory compliance. Harper has been in law enforcement for approximately 30 years, working as a patrol officer, criminal investigator, state trooper, narcotics investigator, front line supervisor, and chief of police. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education from the University of Arkansas and is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership program at Arkansas State University. Harper is married and has four daughters.
Jared Bassham, Law Enforcement Instructor at BRTC, will speak at 3:00 p.m. Bassham has been employed at the BRTC Law Enforcement Training Academy for sixteen years. Prior to that he worked at the Craighead County Sheriff\’s Office as a Criminal Investigator. Jared has a B.S.E. in Social Science and an M.A. in History, both from Arkansas State University. He has been married to his wife, Laura, for nineteen years. They have two sons, Ryder and Carter, and are all active members of Walnut Street Baptist Church.
