UAPD's Aaron Mahan Promoted to Captain

The University of Arkansas Police Department is pleased to announce that Aaron Mahan has been promoted to captain of operations.

"Aaron Mahan has dedicated many years to the University of Arkansas Police Department, and it is a great opportunity for him to now serve in this important role as part of the largest section within the department," said Chief Stephen Gahagans, director of university police.

Mahan began his career working full time in private security while attending the U of A as an elementary education major. In 1998, he began working at UAPD and received a Certificate of Meritorious Achievement for his actions involving an active threat at Kimpel Hall in 2000. He entered municipal law enforcement in 2001 before working again in private security while finishing his degree. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the U of A in 2006.

In 2007, he returned to UAPD and was promoted to sergeant in 2009. He was promoted again to lieutenant in 2013 and began working in training and career development. His role transitioned into administrative lieutenant as he began taking on new projects and responsibilities.  

Mahan taught defensive tactics for more than 20 years and has instructed courses with a wide range of topics such as less lethal weapons, active shooter response, firearms, bike patrol and physical fitness. He also served as a field training officer for more than four years until his promotion to lieutenant. 

"Aaron's expertise has been instrumental for several areas within our department," Gahagans said. "He has offered guidance to many employees who have joined our ranks and provided training to further enhance our preparation."

Mahan is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command as well as the Criminal Justice Institute School of Law Enforcement Supervision. He has completed the U of A Leaders program, as well as the AACP Police Chief Executive Development Course, and earned a senior certificate from the Arkansas Department of Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Mahan won the university's Employee of the Year award in both 2007 and 2013, and UAPD's Slamons Award in 2022 — which honors staff who embody the spirit of UAPD's first director, Larry Slamons. He has won UAPD's annual Top Shot Award five times.