Bentonville... In a tradition of more than 25 years, the Bentonville Police Department would like to announce the selections for the 2020 Officer of the Year, 2020 Dispatcher of the Year, and the 2020 Professional Staff Member of the Year awards. Recipients are selected each year by a peer voting process. The criteria for selection include, among other qualities, a sense of duty and service that reflects great professionalism and brings credit to both the law enforcement profession and the City of Bentonville.
The 2020 selected recipients are Sayer Smith (Police Officer), Kimberly Coston (Dispatcher), and Kristina Felton (Professional Staff Member).
Officer Sayer Smith has been selected as the 2020 Officer of the Year. A lifetime area resident, Officer Smith has been employed by the Bentonville Police Department for nearly 4 years and is assigned to the Patrol Division as an evening shift patrol officer. Prior to joining the police department, Officer Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Olivet Nazarene University in Christian Education. As a Field Training Officer, he is certified to train new police officers. His wife currently works as a Dispatcher in our Emergency Communications Center and his father is a former area law enforcement officer. In his law enforcement duties, Officer Smith has quickly earned a reputation for making positive personal contacts and being, humble, articulate, and professional.
Kimberly Coston has been selected as the 2020 Dispatcher of the Year. She has been employed by the Bentonville Police Department’s Emergency Communications Center for more than 3 years. Since beginning her career with the City of Bentonville Police Department, she quickly excelled in her role as an emergency dispatcher and is also a certified training officer for new dispatchers. Kimberly is known for being hardworking and often doing extra research and fact gathering to provide vital information to officers in the field. She is quick thinking and has great abilities when working under pressure.
Kristina Felton has been selected as the 2020 Professional Staff Member of the Year. Also, a lifetime area resident, she has been employed by the Bentonville Police Department’s Records Division for nearly two years. Prior to her employment with the City of Bentonville, Kristina earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary education from John Brown University and taught at both Bentonville and Springdale Public Schools. Both Kristina’s husband and father were long time area law enforcement officers, serving in leadership roles. Kristina is known for her positive, upbeat attitude and demeanor and her willingness to help with any task.
Overstreet’s Jewelry, the Benton County Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP), and the Bentonville Fraternal Order of the Police (FOP), actively sponsor this award. Overstreet’s Jewelry has contributed to the Bentonville Police Department Officer of the Year Award since 1996. LEAP has likewise contributed to this special event and has supported local law enforcement for more than 20 years. Officer Smith will receive a customized Officer of the Year ring courtesy of Overstreet’s Jewelry and the FOP. Officer Smith, Kimberly Coston, and Kristina Felton will all be recognized for their achievements with individual awards from the City, LEAP, and the FOP at an upcoming department event sponsored by Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville.
