Arkansas State Police


The Arkansas State Police is a state police agency for Arkansas, which has jurisdiction anywhere in the state. It was created to protect the lives, property and constitutional rights of people in Arkansas. The uniformed division is as a highway patrol not a general power police as the Arkansas constitution grants that authority to the various county sheriffs and local police. While the Arkansas State Police was developed primarily to enforce liquor laws and assist local police departments, all commissioned State Troopers have arrest authority that is equal to that of the County Sheriffs regarding any/all criminal and traffic laws of Arkansas. The official duty of the Arkansas State Police is to serve as an assisting agency to local agencies and to aid in the supply of resources not afforded to the local agencies.
Like the Arkansas State Police, the Arkansas Highway Police also has statewide jurisdiction, but serves as the enforcement arm of the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
On March 19, 1935, when Arkansas Governor J.M. Futrell and the Arkansas General Assembly approved and signed into law Act 120, known as the Chrip-Carter bill, the Arkansas State Police was born.
The first men to be empowered in Arkansas with statewide law enforcement duties and responsibilities were known as Rangers. The name later changed to troopers.

State Police Commission

The seven member State Police Commission is composed of seven members appointed by the Governor of Arkansas for a
term of seven years. The officers of the Commission will be chairman, vice-chairman and secretary. Election of officers will be held annually at the January commission meeting. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by applicable law, this rule, and the parliamentary authority adopted by the agency. The commission is responsible for the overall control of the Arkansas State Police.
Current Members:
Jane Christenson - Chairman, Harrison, Term: 2014 - 2020
Neff Basore - Vice-Chairman, Bella Vista, Term: 2015 - 2021
Bill Benton - Secretary, Heber Springs, Term: 2016 - 2022
Stephen Edwards - Member, Marianna, Term: 2017-2023
Jeffery Teague - Member, El Dorado, Term: 2018 - 2024
John Allison - Member, Conway, Term: 2019-2025
Jim Hinkle - Member, Conway, Term: 2020-2026

Organization

The Highway Patrol Division is the uniformed branch of the Arkansas State Police. It is responsible for traffic supervision, traffic, and criminal law enforcement on the rural highways of Arkansas. The HPD also assist with other incidents to include riots, prison disturbances, labor related disturbances, and providing security at public events.
The Highway Patrol Division is divided into two regions both located at One State Police Plaza Dr., Little Rock, Arkansas:
The Highway Patrol Division's troops are as follows:
Administrator and Area Offices
Since its formation in 1935, 21 ASP troopers have been killed in the line of duty. The most common cause of line of duty deaths to date is automobile accidents.
RankNameDate of DeathCause of Death
TrooperSidney Pavatt09-25-1948Was fatally wounded outside a residence while searching for a burglary suspect.
TrooperErmon Cox08-17-1958Was fatally wounded while attempting to arrest a DWI suspect.
SergeantElmer Bradshaw12-11-1965Was killed in an automobile accident while on duty.
TrooperHarry Locke09-24-1966Was fatally injured in a vehicle crash.
TrooperAllen Bufford07-27-1969Was fatally wounded during a highway violator traffic stop.
TrooperRon Brooks02-27-1975Was fatally wounded while apprehending three escapees.
SergeantKelly Pigue12-08-1977Was fatally injured in a vehicle crash.
SergeantGlenn Bailey09-05-1980Was fatally wounded during a violator stop.
TrooperWilliam Rose, Jr.12-28-1982Was fatally injured in a vehicle crash.
TrooperLouis Bryant06-30-1984Was fatally wounded during a violator stop.
TrooperRobbie Klein10-15-1984Was fatally wounded during a search for two prison escapees.
CorporalPhillip Ostermann08-10-1985Was killed in an aircraft accident while searching for marijuana fields.
TrooperMichael Bassing07-24-1986Was fatally injured in a helicopter crash.
TrooperWilson Atkins, Jr.07-03-1988Was fatally injured after being struck by a passing vehicle during a violator stop.
TrooperClark Simpson02-18-1989Was fatally injured after his patrol car was struck from the rear following a violator stop.
CorporalJohn Scarberough09-02-1998Was fatally injured when his patrol car was hit from the rear during a violator stop.
CaptainTom Craig12-04-2000Was fatally injured after being struck by a vehicle while assisting the victims of an earlier traffic crash.
TrooperHerbert Smith02-14-2001Died from injuries sustained in a vehicle crash as he responded to a child emergency call.
TrooperJimmie White06-01-2002Died from injuries sustained in the crash of his patrol motorcycle he was driving at the time of an escort involving the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels.
CorporalMark Carthron09-12-2005Died from injuries sustained the previous day when he was struck on Interstate 40 as he and other troopers attempted to stop a fugitive vehicle.
SergeantRichard LeBow02-04-2008Died from injuries sustained in a traffic crash while on patrol duty.

Rank structure

TitleInsigniaDescription
Director Rank of Colonel, appointed by the Governor of Arkansas to be the professional head of the Department
Deputy Director Rank of Lieutenant Colonel, second-in-command of Department and second highest ranked commissioned officer in the Department.
MajorResponsible for serving as a Highway Patrol Division Regional Commander, as the Criminal Investigation Division Commander or as the Administrative Services Division Commander
CaptainResponsible for serving as a Highway Patrol Troop Commander, Criminal Investigation Division Regional Commander or other upper-level administrative and managerial staff position.
LieutenantResponsible for serving as a Highway Patrol Troop Assistant Commander, Criminal Investigation Division Company Commander or supervising a specialized function with the State Police
SergeantFirst supervisory rank, responsible for overseeing and supervising Troopers and non-commissioned personnel in the performance of their duties
CorporalRank attained by Trooper First Class after completion of 7 years of service. May supervise Troopers in the performance of their duties in absence of a sergeant.
Trooper First ClassRank attained by Trooper after completion of 4 1/2 years of service.
TrooperRank attained by Recruits upon successful completion of the training academy, responsible for field law enforcement patrol or specialized or technical law enforcement function.
CadetA Cadet is a new recruit, and is the rank held by all personnel while assigned as a student at the training academy. These personnel do not wear rank insignia.

In popular culture