Police Profiles

FARMINGTON -- Two new police officers have started with Farmington Police Department this year.

Another change at the department is the resignation of Detective William Redfern, who left to attend the University of Arkansas School of Law. Cpl. John Collins was promoted to detective and began in that position July 28.

Taron Mahone, 42, of Fayetteville, was hired Feb. 14 and then attended the 13-week Northwest Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in Elm Springs. Afterward, he spent time training onsite with a Farmington officer and began serving as a patrol officer on his own in late May.

Mahone is a graduate of Fayetteville High School and attended Dodge City Community College in Dodge City, Kan.

Mahone said his interest in being a police officer was probably helped along by watching the television show CHiPs, a show about two California highway patrol motorcycle officers.

"I've always been interested in being a police officer but I veered off the railroad track a little bit," Mahone said. "As a police officer, we help people out. It's pretty much to our discretion when responding to a call, so we have to look at the situation before making a decision."

Mahone said he applied for the Farmington position because the department is a smaller, more personal department and he already knew people on staff. Mahone graduated from Fayetteville High with Farmington's Lt. Chad Parrish and the two have stories to tell about playing football together.

"I know people inside and that helps you break in a little better," Mahone said, adding he also likes it that the police chief's door is open to his officers.

Mahone is married with two young children, a son and daughter. Prior to coming to Farmington, he worked in sales. His other interests include sports, bow hunting and refereeing high school basketball and football games.

Taylor Talley, 25, of Prairie Grove, started with Farmington on Aug. 1. He had been with Springdale Police Department for more than two years before leaving to work for J.B. Hunt. After a year at J.B. Hunt, Talley realized he missed law enforcement.

"I like going out into the community and interacting with the people and going on calls," Talley said. "That's better than sitting at a desk all day."

Talley graduated from Greenland High School. He attended the University of Arkansas and then earned an associate's degree in criminal justice from Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden.

Talley's uncle is Detective John Collins with Farmington and being around his uncle growing up piqued his interest in police work. He began to seriously consider it as a career when he was in college, he said.

Talley is engaged to be married and likes to fish and play golf.

Chief Brian Hubbard said 17 people applied for Mahone's position at the first of the year.

He liked Mahone, he said, because "everything about him rang true for the potential of being a good police officer. And so far, my hunch has been correct."

Talley was pulled from the same set of applications later in the year.

Hubbard said Talley had an excellent interview and "tested very high."

Farmington has 10 patrol officers (including the chief), a detective, two administrative positions and a part-time officer.