Arkansas State Police investigating two claims of improper use of force by law enforcement

Alex Kienlen
·1 min read

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas State Police have initiated two investigations into claims of improper use of force in two separate incidents.

The first case is in Phillips County at the request of the Helena-West Helena Police Department for an ASP Criminal Investigation Division investigation. Officials said the incident being investigated occurred on Dec. 19, 2023, and led to the termination of four officers.

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The police department has submitted documents to the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training for its four former officers to be decertified, according to ASP officials.

State officials said the second investigation was requested by the Fifth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney on Feb. 9. A Johnson County Sheriff’s Office detective is alleged to have used excessive force in a Jan. 26 incident, officials said, adding that this incident is being investigated by the ASP Special Investigation Unit.

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In both cases, officials said ASP investigators will present their findings to prosecuting attorneys for review.

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