Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Meet the Prescott Chief of Police

Brian Russell has been the chief of police for the Prescott Police Department since December. He said his desire to work in the legal system started when he was very young.

My dad was in the court system, he said. Id always get to talk to the police.

Russell received his training from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy about 12 years ago. Since then, hes taken a variety of specialized classes, including SWAT, firearms and instructor training.

Russell and his wife Connie have two children. Justin, 14, will be a ninth grader at Prescott High School this year, and Selena, who is 2.

Russell, who was an officer in the Hope and Hempstead county departments, said he was excited about the opportunity to join the PPD.

Everybody sets goals, he said. Mine was to be a police officer. When this position came open, it was naturally my next step.

Russell cited the family atmosphere within the department. He said that Prescott is now home to him and that working in law enforcement allows him to make a positive impact.

I feel its something I can do to keep the community I live in clean and safe, he said. Its a way for me to do my part.