New Pine Bluff Police Chief Shawn Davis and Pine Bluff Fire Chief Randy Compton were sworn into their offices Friday during a ceremony at the Prince Hall Grand Lodge.
Davis was sworn in by Judge Earnest Brown. Interim Police Chief Shirley Warrior will return to the rank of deputy chief.
DAVIS
“I am deeply honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve as chief of police,” Davis said at the ceremony. “As chief of police, my commitment is to lead with integrity, transparency and stability. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and real progress happens when law enforcement and the community work together.”
Davis added that he believes strongly in community policing, open communication and treating every person with dignity and fairness, according to a news release from John Worthen, the Pine Bluff Police Department’s public information specialist.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“We are focused on reducing crime, supporting our officers with proper training and resources and strengthening relationships in our neighborhoods,” Davis said.
The new police chief’s goals include enforcing laws while actively working on preventing crimes.
“I understand the challenges before me, but I am confident that together we can build a safer, stronger Pine Bluff where families feel secure, officers feel supported and the community feels served,” he said.
Davis previously served as a captain for the police department and brings more than 23 years of distinguished law enforcement experience to the department, according to the release.
A native of Pine Bluff, Davis is a 1986 graduate of Watson Chapel High School. He earned a bachelor of science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and is a 2021 graduate of the Southern Police Institute (SPI) in Louisville, Ky.
Davis began his career in 2002 in patrol, gaining extensive experience in front-line policing. He advanced through the ranks, serving as sergeant, lieutenant and captain, and has held assignments in divisions including Detective, Vice and Narcotics, Quality of Life and Service Division.
Before being selected as the new police chief, Davis oversaw Special Operations, Training, Fleet, Traffic and the Maintenance Shop, ensuring efficient departmental operations and effective support for both personnel and the community.
Throughout his career, Davis has demonstrated a commitment to ethical leadership, professional development and community engagement.
COMPTON
Pine Bluff Fire Chief Randy Compton is the new leader of the Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services Department. Judge John Kearney swore in Compton on Friday at the Prince Hall Grand Lodge. Compton was appointed Pine Bluff fire chief, nearly nine months after he began serving in that position on an interim basis. Compton has more than 30 years of service to the city and a proven record of leadership within the Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services Department, according to a news release.
“I would like to thank Mayor Flowers for this tremendous opportunity … I assure you, I won’t let you down,” Compton said at the ceremony. “We will continue to strengthen our relationship with the community through outreach and fire education.”
“To my Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Service’s family, we are responsible for one another. As your chief, I expect you to hold me accountable. I cannot be successful without your help, without your hard work, dedication and commitment to this community,” Compton said.
Compton started his career at Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services on Nov. 28, 1993. He worked his way up through the ranks in the Operations Division. He then transitioned to the Fire Prevention Division, serving the remaining portion of his career before his appointment as assistant fire marshal with the rank of lieutenant. Compton was ultimately appointed interim fire chief by Mayor Vivian Flowers on April 7, 2025, replacing retired chief Shauwn Howell.
He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Compton, a 1984 graduate of Watson Chapel High School, has more than 30 years of service to the city and a proven record of leadership within the Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services Department, according to a city news release sent late Tuesday.
He has held positions including firefighter, engineer, assistant training officer, assistant fire marshal and interim fire chief. He had held the latter role since April 7.
“Throughout his tenure, Chief Compton has demonstrated a strong commitment to fire prevention and community engagement,” the news release reads. “He has worked collaboratively with federal, state and county public safety partners, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Arkansas State Police.”
