The Future of PPD: Chief Henson on Change, Culture & Character

In this episode, we sit down with Chad Henson, the new Chief of Police for the Paragould Police Department — a man whose journey has taken him from protecting the skies as a Federal Air Marshal to serving overseas in a UN mission, to leading drug task force operations across NEA. Chief Henson shares how those experiences shaped his philosophy of leadership and why he believes real change starts with character, humility, and a commitment to teaching. We talk about building healthy culture inside a department, why not everyone actually fears change, and how long-lasting cultural transformation happens from the inside out. He also outlines his vision for the future of PPD, including a major emphasis on officer development — increasing annual training requirements from 24 to 100 hours, equipping leaders at every level, and creating a department other agencies look to for instructors and best practices. We close by discussing the realities of drug trends in Arkansas, the importance of regional cooperation among agencies, and why “playing well with others” matters more than ever. If you care about leadership, community, or the direction of policing in Paragould, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.