Arkansas Democrats Call for State Police Use-of-Force Policy Review

LITTLE ROCK - The Democratic Party of Arkansas is calling on the Arkansas State Police to review its use-of-force policies and prohibit the conduct Arkansans watched on video from an August 1 traffic stop, where a trooper threw an 18-year-old woman to the ground and punched her in the face.

The call comes after the agency closed its internal investigation into that incident, finding only that the trooper had failed to identify himself properly and used too much profanity. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, which first reported the outcome, the investigation never addressed the punch itself, and the trooper was never pulled off patrol while the investigation was open.

Since that investigation closed, a second video has surfaced. Records published August 31 by NEA Report show a different trooper on the same highway 18 days later breaking an SUV window with a baton, pulling a back-seat passenger toward the opening by his arm and hair, and striking him in the face. The records released in that case include a Gosnell Police Department review clearing its own corporal's use of force. These records do not include any State Police findings on the trooper's actions.

Arkansas Democrats are also calling on the Arkansas State Police to answer the Legislative Black Caucus's questions regarding these incidents.

Arkansas Democratic Party Chair Col. Marcus Jones (Ret.) said:

"There is a growing concern over accountability for the Arkansas State Police following two separate incidents of excessive force at traffic stops in Mississippi County. Arkansans watched the brutality of these two incidents and saw with their own eyes as officers struck an 18-year old girl on August 1, as well as an August 19 incident where an officer pulled the hair and punched a young man in the backseat of a vehicle, despite him obviously attempting to cooperate with law enforcement.

These 'investigative findings' make it crystal clear why the leaders in the Legislative Black Caucus deserve the opportunity to ask ASP Dir. Col. Mike Hagar questions and to receive clarity on what policies are in place and how ASP officers are trained. If the policy on the books can look at the incident on August 1 and flag the use of profanity but not the physicality, then the policy needs to be reviewed and revised.

Arkansas Democrats support the hard-working officers who keep our communities safe day-in and day-out. We also understand that addressing bad behavior is how our law enforcement agencies maintain public trust. The public deserves answers, and we're grateful to our legislators who are determined to get them."

Vice Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus Sen. Jamie Scott (D-North Little Rock) said:

"There are broader concerns regarding Arkansas State Police policies, training, use-of-force practices, de-escalation, accountability, community trust, and public safety that members of the Caucus have a responsibility to address on behalf of the Arkansans we represent. Those issues do not disappear simply because litigation is pending in a particular case."

In an August 12 statement, Chair Rep. Jay Richardson (D-Fort Smith) issued the following statement on behalf of the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus:

"Every person in this state, regardless of age, race, or circumstance, deserves to be treated with dignity and to feel safe during an encounter with law enforcement…

We call for a full, transparent, and independent investigation into this incident, and we demand accountability for any officer found to have violated department policy or the law."

Press inquiries can be sent to [email protected] or by text/call to 501-539-9987.

Background

August 1. Trooper Moisses Arellano stopped Alisa Hackett, 18, of Osceola for speeding on Arkansas 18 near Manila in Mississippi County. Dashcam video obtained by the Arkansas Advocate shows him throwing her to the ground while trying to handcuff her, then punching her in the face. "I'll punch you again if you don't turn around," Arellano says on the recording. In his report, he wrote that he hit her because she would not roll onto her stomach so he could cuff her. (video)

August 10. Hackett, represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, filed a federal lawsuit against Arellano alleging excessive force and retaliation for questioning the basis for the stop. (KATV)

August 12. The Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus called for a full, transparent, and independent investigation and accountability for any officer found to have violated policy or the law. (Arkansas Times)

August 24. State Police Director Col. Mike Hagar told Caucus Chair Rep. Jay Richardson he would not appear at the next day's meeting, saying pending litigation made a public discussion "irresponsible and impossible." He offered to meet with legislators privately instead. (KATV)

August 25. The Caucus met without him. Members heard public comment, and several Arkansans asked lawmakers to take up legislation on law enforcement conduct. (Arkansas Times)

August 25, after the meeting adjourned. State Police released the outcome of its internal investigation. Spokesman Nick Genty said Arellano "violated those two policies during his arrest of Alisa Hackett on Arkansas 18 in Mississippi County and officials counseled Arellano." Arellano was not placed on administrative leave at any point during the investigation. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette · Arkansas Times)

August 31. NEA Report published the video and the incident reports from the August 19 stop. Gosnell Police Department paperwork found Cpl. Liles' firearm display, Taser use and hands-on force justified under that department's policy. That review covered Liles, not Henderson. The released records do not include a State Police administrative finding on Henderson's use of force, and they do not include a statement from Washington. (NEA Report)