Sheriff Responds to Discussion on Regionalized Police Force

The City of Hackett held a study session on Monday, September 21 and discussed the implementation of a regionalized police force which would encompass the Cities of Bonanza, Midland, Hartford and Huntington.

In an email addressed to those mayors, Hackett Police Chief Ricci Pyle stated: “…at the request of Mayor Harper in reference to a study session we attended yesterday (09/21/20) with our city council. I had asked for this study session to discuss the future of law enforcement in our city and how we can improve. During the discussion, regionalizing with local cities was brought to the forefront. By doing this the cities can consolidate their resources in an attempt to create more police officers to protect our residents on a 24/7 basis. As I’m sure you are all well aware, crime has been on the rise in our area for some time now. As our cities grow, so does the criminal element with it. We need to start planning now on how to deter crimes from continuing. I have been conducting research on regionalizing a police force since I started here, which is when I realized this area of the county has been neglected of proper police protection for decades. If this is something any of you would like to discuss further, please let me know…I believe that if we all come together, we can make our cities a safer place for its residents…”

No action was taken by the Hackett City Council on the issue. Mayor Harper stated on social media, “please let me clarify that this session was to explore our options for expanding our department and the possibility of asking other towns to think about it.”

As of Tuesday, September 29, several of the mayors addressed in Pyle’s email had not been notified of the discussion. “I don’t see how this would benefit us, and don’t see us participating,” stated Hartford Mayor Richard Hartsfield. “I spoke with my Chief of Police Mike Barber about this,” shared Bonanza Mayor Elmer Nelson. “We don’t have enough man power. If we start spreading it around, we would have less police protection. I just don’t see how it would benefit us…We have always backed up other departments, including Hackett and as far away as Mansfield, and will continue to do that. However, we also depend on the county.” Huntington Mayor Gary Lawrence concurred stating, “I don’t think it will be feasible for us to pursue that.” At the time of publication, Midland Mayor Michael Sweeten could not be reached for comment.

According to call records with the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office, the Hackett Police Department has made three arrests so far in 2020, one by Chief Pyle and two by former part time police officer Todd Johnson. The SCSO has handled the remainder of those calls, over 95%.

“If it came in through Hackett City Hall we wouldn’t have it,” shared Sebastian County Sheriff Hobe Runion. “However, 99% of everything comes through our office. We’ve had several cases where citizens have stopped our deputies and asked them where the Hackett Police are. We (the SCSO) value all citizens, and want to provide the best service we can. The citizens of Hackett should expect and demand more…You have a police officer, who is not from Arkansas and doesn’t understand our laws and what the city’s responsibilities are versus the county’s…If he says the citizens have been neglected, then that’s on him. He is not taking care of the city, and that’s his responsibility.”

Although there are questions regarding the idea of a regionalized police force, one thing remains certain–the mutual aid among these cities and assistance by the county will continue.