30 Sep 2025 UCA Deputy Chief of Police named IACLEA Mid-American Regional Director

Chris Bentley, deputy chief of police for the University of Central Arkansas, has been named a Mid-American Regional Director for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) Board of Directors.

IACLEA is the largest professional association devoted to excellence in campus public safety and law enforcement. Members are police chiefs, public safety directors, law enforcement officers and security personnel at higher education institutions who are responsible for protecting millions of students worldwide. The IACLEA Board of Directors is the elected governing body of the association, consisting of four officers, eight Regional Directors, three Directors-at-Large, and the Executive Director, who serves as an ex-officio member.

As UCA deputy chief of police, Bentley fills a key leadership position within the department’s command structure. He oversees the day-to-day administrative operations of the department, as well as holding the title of the senior member of the UCA Police Department Command Staff.

Bentley has been an integral part of the UCA Police Department for more than 30 years, beginning his work while he was still a student at UCA in 1994. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and community engagement.

He was sworn in as president of the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police on Sept. 24 and previously served in several roles on the AACP executive board. He has also served as president of the Arkansas Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

The UCA Police Department provides around-the-clock law enforcement, public safety, emergency management and 9-1-1 services to the UCA community. Through a strong philosophy of community-oriented policing and solid relationships throughout the campus, the department focuses on protection of persons and property, preservation of the peace, enforcement of state and local laws and university regulations, prevention and repression of criminal activity, emergency preparedness planning, and management and control of parking and traffic on the campus.