Hot Springs Police Chief Hrvatin Retires After 29 Years of Service

Hrvatin's tenure saw sharp reductions in criminal incidents across numerous categories.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Hot Springs Police Chief Billy Hrvatin announced his retirement, effective May 15, after 29 years of service. During his tenure, the department saw significant decreases in property crimes, violent crimes, and gun-related incidents, which Hrvatin attributed to the hard work and support of his officers as well as the city's leadership and community. The Civil Service Commission thanked Hrvatin for his service and contributions to public safety in Hot Springs.

Why it matters

Hrvatin's retirement marks the end of an era for the Hot Springs Police Department, which has seen substantial improvements in public safety under his leadership. The department's focus on technology and community support has been credited with driving down crime rates, and his departure raises questions about the future direction of the department and the search for a new chief.

The details

According to the annual report Hrvatin presented to the Civil Service Commission, property crimes fell 23% last year compared to 2023, while violent crimes decreased 7% from Hrvatin's first year as chief. The department also saw a significant drop in shots-fired calls, from nearly 800 in 2020 to around 500 last year, thanks in part to the deployment of acoustic sensors across the city. These technological advancements, along with the hard work of the department's more than 100 officers and support staff, have been credited with the overall reduction in crime.

  • Hrvatin announced his retirement, effective May 15, earlier this month.
  • The annual report Hrvatin presented to the Civil Service Commission was on Wednesday.

The players

Billy Hrvatin

The outgoing Hot Springs Police Chief, who is retiring after 29 years of service.

Bill Burrough

The Hot Springs City Manager, who said the job opening for the police chief position will be posted today or Monday.

Sam Stathakis

The Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, who thanked Hrvatin for his service.

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What they’re saying

“It's been a real pleasure for me to watch you come up through the ranks. I think you've done outstanding. I want to say thanks for your service.”

— Sam Stathakis, Chairman, Civil Service Commission

“At the end of the day, you reduce crime by putting criminals in jail. We have a bunch of motivated police officers who know we support them in doing that. It's not only us. We have a city manager who supports us, and our community supports us.”

— Billy Hrvatin, Police Chief

What’s next

The city will post the job opening for the police chief position today or Monday, as the department begins the search for Hrvatin's successor.

The takeaway

Hrvatin's retirement marks the end of an era for the Hot Springs Police Department, which has seen significant improvements in public safety under his leadership. The department's focus on technology and community support has been credited with driving down crime rates, and the search for a new chief will be closely watched as the city looks to build on this progress.