Arkansas Side Police Announce Promotions

The Texarkana, Ark., Police Department has announced the promotions for two long-serving members of the force.

The promotions have been awarded to Sergeants James Atchley and Scott Megason.

Lieutenant James Atchley has been promoted from the rank of Sergeant. He began his law enforcement career with the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department in July of 2000. Assigned to the Patrol Division until 2005, he was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division as a property crimes Detective for three years, then received the opportunity to transfer to the Bi-State Narcotics Taskforce for five years.

In 2010 Lt. Atchley was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and transferred to the Patrol Division.  He supervised multiple shifts and served as the Explorer Post Advisor.  He worked in the patrol division for three years before transferring back to the Criminal Investigation Division as a property crimes supervisor. Lt. Atchley is a longstanding member of the TAPD SWAT.

Lt. Atchley has many letter of commendation including TAPD Officer of the Quarter three times and Officer of the Year 2003. Lt. Atchley has a Bachelor Degree of Science from Texas A&M University- Texarkana.

His promotion date is as follows; promoted to Lieutenant (effective) 03/13/16

Sergeant Scott Megason has been promoted from the rank of Detective. He began his law enforcement career with the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department in March of 1992. Since that time, Sgt. Megason has been assigned to the Patrol Division as a patrol officer and the Special Operations Section in crime suppression, housing authority, school resource officer, and the gang unit. He has been assigned to the Services Division as the public information officer. He has been assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division in the Narcotics Unit and as a member of FBI Safe Streets Taskforce. Sgt. Megason has served as a Field Training Officer and Firearms Instructor.

Sgt. Megason has many letters of commendation as well as recipient of the Life Saving Award.

His promotion date is as follows; promoted to Sergeant (effective) 03/13/16