Botts, Edwards join Eric Watson administration

photo Eric Watson
Arkansas-Ole Miss Live Blog

Bradley County Sheriff-elect Eric Watson has announced two more members of his command staff.

He has named Lt. Keith Edwards as captain of patrol services and Arnold Botts as director of administration.

Botts is a Cleveland native and former city police chief, Watson said in a news release. After retiring from the Cleveland Police Department, he has been an office manager and investigator for the Logan-Thompson Law Firm of Cleveland, Watson said in a news release.

As director of administration, Botts will oversee departmental records and official documents, human resources and employee records, public relations and public information access, community outreach programs, including the new Victim Assistance Unit, and most clerical positions within the administration, Watson said.

"I am extremely pleased to have someone with Arnold's experience in law enforcement and office management to be willing to come on board and fill this important post," he said.

Edwards is a 31-year veteran of the sheriff's office who has worked in corrections, patrol and the criminal investigation division, Watson said. He served on the department's SWAT team and as a school resource officer in Charleston, Tenn., and has experience in managing case files, conducting investigations and prosecuting offenders in child abuse, narcotics and other criminal cases.

"I wanted someone to fill this crucial management position and who has worked in every division of the sheriff's office, and Keith is exactly that person to fill this post," Watson said.

Watson's term begins Sept. 1. He previously named Gabe Thomas as his captain of corrections and judicial services, and Richard McAllister as director of support services.

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