ASP LAUNCHES YOUR ARKANSAS STATE POLICE PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
September 30, 2024
Starting Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Arkansas State Police will use in-house resources to feature important services provided by the agency. Each week for three months, videos produced by ASP’s Communications Team will highlight critical services and resources being provided by different ASP divisions. Although ASP’s Highway Patrol Division is highly visible and widely known to the public, it is only one of dozens of valuable divisions advancing ASP’s mission, such as Internet Crimes Against Children, Criminal Investigations, SWAT and Air Support.
“We are funded by your tax dollars. We work for you. We are Your Arkansas State Police,” ASP Colonel Mike Hagar said.
Campaign videos will be posted on ASP’s social media platforms and on the Your Arkansas State Police page online once a week. We encourage everyone to like and share Your Arkansas State Police videos by watching ASP’s Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts.
ADMINISTRATION
SWAT
The Arkansas State Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team consists of highly trained Troopers from various divisions within the department. Selection for this team is highly competitive as are the standards to remain a member of the unit. Team members are dispersed across the state, which allows for immediate response to tactical situations by several members, while the remaining team members travel to the location with specialized equipment. Team members, who are certified law enforcement instructors, assist with training at the troop level and for new recruits during troop school.
SWAT training focuses on problem-solving specific threats, such as barricaded suspects, hostage rescue, and counterterrorism missions. Training also includes less-lethal and chemical munitions, counterterrorism tactics, SWAT K-9 techniques, technology tactics (robots), firearms proficiency, ballistic-vehicle training (B.E.A.R. and BEARCAT), rural mission operations, commercial and residential entry techniques, and explosive breaching. The ASP SWAT Team is recognized by the Department of Homeland Security as a Level 1 team, the most elite designation.
TRAINING DIVISION
The Arkansas State Police (ASP) Training Division is responsible for coordinating and implementing all levels of training for the agency, including Troop School, the K-9 program, the ASP Training Academy, physical fitness training, use of force and pursuit driving basic/remedial training, TASER training, radar training, firearms training, Violent Encounter Resolution Skills (VERS) Defensive Tactics training, active shooter training, instructor development training, Arkansas Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program (AHELP), Drug Recognition Expert coordination, Field Training Officer program, riot control, Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) certification.
The Division also assists with the ASP promotional process, body armor replacement and equipment maintenance. In addition, a training staff member serves as the State Firearms Instructor and the ASP Armorer, issuing and maintaining inventory, ordering all ammunition and firearms for ASP, assisting with firearm repairs, coordinating the Wrightsville firing range schedule, maintaining supplies, and scheduled maintenance.
INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN
Arkansas State Police (ASP) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding Arkansas’s most vulnerable citizens and removing individuals intent on harming them from our communities.
As of October 3, 2024, Arkansas ICAC had received 4,898 cyber tips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). Last year, ICAC received a total of 6,356 cyber tips.
Cyber Crimes Unit agents assigned statewide are focusing on rural areas and regions with high numbers of child sexual abuse material reported by NCMEC. Additionally, affiliated agencies have been working aggressively on cyber tips, utilizing a team-based approach to solve these cases.
The task force helps state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children. This support encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, prevention and community education. The task force operates from an invitation-only grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs, a division of the Department of Justice. This funding sustains all facets of the task force’s operations, including training, equipment procurement, and tools necessary for evidence extraction.
INTERSTATE CRIMINAL PATROL UNIT
Your Arkansas State Police Interstate Criminal Patrol (ICP) is recognized both regionally and nationally for their work to seize illegal drugs and weapons from the state’s highways. Because of Interstates 40 and 30, Arkansas is a hub for trafficking activity. ASP is intentional and aggressive about going after criminals who use our roadways to move their product.
In 2023 alone, ASP ICP collectively seized illegal drugs with a total street value of $27.7 million, including over 10,386 pounds of marijuana, 353 pounds of cocaine, 56 pounds of methamphetamine and 46 pounds of fentanyl. The specialized unit also seized 21 illegal weapons, 45 vehicles, and $1.26 million in currency.
All ICP seized drugs are sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for analysis and then stored during prosecution. After cases are adjudicated, the drugs are transported to an incinerator for disposal. Seized weapons are destroyed, later used by law enforcement, or sold at public auction. Seized cash that is determined to be forfeited goes to prosecuting attorney in the jurisdiction where it was initially seized. Prosecuting attorneys decide how the money is distributed.
AIR SUPPORT UNIT
Your Arkansas State Police (ASP) Air Support Unit serves a critical part in ASP’s role as a support agency to our local, state and federal partners. As the only full-time airborne law enforcement agency in the state, the unit supports all local and federal agencies, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The unit’s three aircraft aid in searches, manhunts, surveillance, and transportation. ASP’s Air Support Unit has a full-time crew that stands ready to serve Arkansas, even on holidays.
In 2023, the unit flew 164 flight missions. So far this year, the unit has received 155 requests and has flown over 220 flight hours.
COLD CASE UNIT
Your Arkansas State Police Cold Case Unit believes strongly that every unresolved case represents a person, along with their family, friends and community.
The unit is comprised of Special Agents assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division and retired law enforcement officers dedicated to resolving cold case investigations.
The unit is able to review only cold cases originally initiated by ASP. Our Cold Case Unit is unable to look into other cases without a formal request from the agency of jurisdiction. Information on cases being examined by the unit can be found (organized by county) HERE.
Contact ASP’s Cold Case Unit at: [email protected].
HIGHWAY PATROL DIVISION
Your Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol is the most visible division of ASP. While most Arkansans identify our white cars with the blue stripe with ASP, they may not know how important this division is to the safety of our roadways.
In 2023 alone, our Troopers traveled nearly 15 million miles, investigated more than 16,975 accidents and made over 144,900 arrests.
The ASP servant’s heart truly shines through our Highway Patrol Division. We hear every day from Arkansans who want to thank our Troopers for helping them through difficulties on the highway. Our Troopers assisted 31,310 motorists in 2023.
CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN DIVISION
Your Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division (CACD) investigates unspeakable crimes against children, including abandonment, sexual abuse, exploitation and death. For most of us, it’s hard to understand how any adult could harm our most vulnerable and innocent, but CACD investigated 6,070 cases in 2023. Over 4,440 investigations involved offenses that were sexual in nature.
Child Abuse Hotline operators in CACD received 67,640 referrals in 2023. Of those, 35,754 were accepted as legally valid allegations of abuse or neglect.
Those who serve the public in CACD are fulfilling one of the most critical missions of ASP. Because much of their work is never made public to protect young victims, CACD employees are truly unsung heroes.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION
Your Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is the primary ASP division that serves in support of local law enforcement agencies that lack the manpower or expertise to investigate certain crimes.
CID opened 1,454 cases in 2023, including 22 officer-involved shootings and 207 homicides/deaths. CID is responsible for criminal law enforcement, including drug enforcement, cold case investigations, and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which conducts white-collar crime and federal task force investigations.
CID is also over the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) section, the Arkansas State Fusion Center (ASFC) and the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council.
CID was responsible for 1,575 felony arrests and closed 1,675 cases in 2024.
AMBER Alert System
Your Arkansas State Police serves as the coordinating law enforcement agency in Arkansas to alert the public of missing or abducted children. Issuing AMBER Alerts is a vital service we provide to our citizens and a crucial form of assistance to our local law enforcement partners.
AMBER Alerts are only issued when ASP determines a child has been abducted and is in imminent danger.
ASP was one of the first law enforcement agencies in the country to model a statewide notification system based on the local AMBER Alerts used in many large U.S. cities.
K-9 Units
Your Arkansas State Police K-9s play a vital role in our mission. We call on our dogs to assist in arresting fugitives and in stopping the flow of illegal drugs from our interstates, preventing dangerous substances from entering our communities. Our four-legged colleagues are true partners to our Troopers by locating and detaining suspects and keeping our Troopers from unnecessary dangers.
In 2023, the K-9 team participated in numerous deployments, included 610 for narcotics seizures, seizing over 1,600 pounds of marijuana and 177 pounds of cocaine, along with other illegal drugs. They also assisted in seizing $413,857 in cash and three vehicles.
Special Investigations Unit
Your Arkansas State Police Special Investigations Unit conducts white-collar criminal investigations and federal task force investigations at the direction of the Criminal Investigation Division Commander.
These federal task forces include the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force, and the FBI ARKTRUST Task Force. SIU operates with discretion and professionalism in high-profile cases and operations, maintaining the integrity of each case and earning community trust through transparency and accountability.
Crisis Negotiation Team
The primary role of Your Arkansas State Police Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) is to diffuse critical incidents through the use of active listening and communication skills.
The CNT is comprised of Troopers from both the Highway Patrol and Criminal Investigation Divisions. There is a competitive selection process for all team members and each member is expected to maintain high standards on the team and at their regular assignment.
Each team member receives extensive training in active listening and communication skills, including a 40-hour course taught by FBI negotiators. The CNT trains together throughout the year, compiling over 160 hours of training annually.
CNT members respond with the SWAT team to all activations and operations. CNT members also respond to assist local agencies around the state to provide negotiation assistance during critical incidents.
Human Trafficking Council
The purpose of the Arkansas State Police Human Trafficking Unit is to foster a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort among state agencies, service providers, first responders, local and federal law enforcement, local and federal prosecutors, and lawmakers to develop and implement a victim-centered, trauma-informed, offender-focused, sustainable, uniform protocol for identifying and effectively responding to incidents of all forms of human trafficking, and the crimes associated with human trafficking are presented for prosecution.
The unit is comprised of the statewide human trafficking coordinator and two regional human trafficking special agents.
Driver Testing Section
Your Arkansas State Police Driver Testing Section impacts most Arkansas families at one point or another. The section conducted 234,072 driver license (DL)/commercial driver license (CDL) tests in 2023.
Across the state’s 75 counties, a total of 131,976 non-commercial license (NCL) knowledge (written) exams and 54,281 skills (driving) exams were administered, which included motorcycle testing.
Additionally, a total of 30,959 CDL knowledge exams were administered and 16,856 CDL skills exams were administered.
Telecommunications Section
Your Arkansas State Police Telecommunications Section operators serve the public behind the scenes to answer and dispatch emergency and non-emergency calls. They are the calm, trained voice relaying and receiving information from Troopers and other emergency responders 24 hours a day.
In addition to disseminating AMBER and Silver Alerts, they initiate SWAT, Emergency Response Team and Crisis Negotiation Team member activation.
Emergency Response Team
Your Arkansas State Police Emergency Response Team (ERT) is comprised of specially trained Troopers who respond to crowd control incidents and provide tactical assistance to SWAT and federal law enforcement agencies.
Team members have extensive training in crowd and riot control, search and rescue, and drone operations.
They also conduct scenario-based training exercises with multiple agencies in preparation for coordinated responses to large incidents.
