Some Demand Changes in Arkansas' Police Training Laws After Alexander Shooting
By: Lauren Trager, KARK 4 News
Updated: September 11, 2012
Major concerns have been raised about the lack of initial training for some Arkansas police officers.
Now, some people are demanding change.
We told you Monday state law allows police officers to patrol the streets with a gun and a badge, before they ever receive any proper training.
In fact, in smaller towns and communities, the practice is actually quite common.
But to some we talked to, it seems the exact opposite of common sense.
"Frightening," said one Arkansan, astonished by current police training laws.
"I am surprised and shocked and I don't like that at all," said another person.
But lack of initial training is a reality in many law enforcement agencies.
Monday, we discovered that while the officer behind a deadly shooting in Alexander had been on the job for more than six months, she'd never been to a police academy.
Under a current law, more than 40 years old, officers are required to complete formal training within one year, but not before they hit the streets.
Alexander Police Chief Horace Walters told us Monday, with only one officer on duty at any given time, he couldn't send his officer away to train any sooner.
"Unfortunately for a small agency, I can not afford to do that, I would have a backlog," said Chief Walters
But other officers say all agencies must find a way and the rules must change.
"It is ridiculous," said North Little Rock Chief Danny Bradley.
Chief Bradley, a state-wide advocate on training issues says in an increasingly complex world of policing, the law is outdated and potentially dangerous.
"I can't go out and be your beautician for a year, before I do hair, so why would you put a person out on the street with a gun and the authority to lock people up with no training," said Chief Bradley.
His officers train first, in class and in the field. Often it's a year before they're ever alone on the streets.
Otherwise, he says, the liabilities are nearly limitless.
"It's not fair to the people, it's not fair to the department, it's not fair to that person," said Chief Bradley.
Now, while some admit a lot can be learned on the streets, others say there must be changes in training law to keep people safe.
KARK spoke with one lawmaker who says this is something that needs to be looked at by the legislature. Chief Bradley says they can look to find different solutions. For example, he says, combining small departments into bigger ones and sharing resources.
Of course this is an issue that isn't going away. Count on KARK to keep covering it for you.
WEB EXTRA: Raw Interview with Mother of Man Killed By Alexander Police Officer
Now, some people are demanding change.
We told you Monday state law allows police officers to patrol the streets with a gun and a badge, before they ever receive any proper training.
In fact, in smaller towns and communities, the practice is actually quite common.
But to some we talked to, it seems the exact opposite of common sense.
"Frightening," said one Arkansan, astonished by current police training laws.
"I am surprised and shocked and I don't like that at all," said another person.
But lack of initial training is a reality in many law enforcement agencies.
Monday, we discovered that while the officer behind a deadly shooting in Alexander had been on the job for more than six months, she'd never been to a police academy.
Under a current law, more than 40 years old, officers are required to complete formal training within one year, but not before they hit the streets.
Alexander Police Chief Horace Walters told us Monday, with only one officer on duty at any given time, he couldn't send his officer away to train any sooner.
"Unfortunately for a small agency, I can not afford to do that, I would have a backlog," said Chief Walters
But other officers say all agencies must find a way and the rules must change.
"It is ridiculous," said North Little Rock Chief Danny Bradley.
Chief Bradley, a state-wide advocate on training issues says in an increasingly complex world of policing, the law is outdated and potentially dangerous.
"I can't go out and be your beautician for a year, before I do hair, so why would you put a person out on the street with a gun and the authority to lock people up with no training," said Chief Bradley.
His officers train first, in class and in the field. Often it's a year before they're ever alone on the streets.
Otherwise, he says, the liabilities are nearly limitless.
"It's not fair to the people, it's not fair to the department, it's not fair to that person," said Chief Bradley.
Now, while some admit a lot can be learned on the streets, others say there must be changes in training law to keep people safe.
KARK spoke with one lawmaker who says this is something that needs to be looked at by the legislature. Chief Bradley says they can look to find different solutions. For example, he says, combining small departments into bigger ones and sharing resources.
Of course this is an issue that isn't going away. Count on KARK to keep covering it for you.
WEB EXTRA: Raw Interview with Mother of Man Killed By Alexander Police Officer
Comments
How, when, and by whom, should police be trained? For insight and direction on this and other important police improvement issues, take a look at %u201CArrested Development: A Veteran Police Chief Sounds Off About Protest, Racism, Corruption and the Seven Steps Necessary to Improve Our Nation%u2019s Police%u201D (Amazon.com in US and EU). And the blog at http://improvingpolice.wordpress.com/ where other current police improvement issues are discussed. Good luck and may we all experience not just good but great policing! Great policing is accomplished by police who are well-trained and led, restrained in their use of force, honest, and courteous to every person.
David C.
September 12, 2012 at 11:18 am
