Little Rock Police Department

The Little Rock Police Department is the principal law enforcement agency serving the city of Little Rock, Arkansas. It is headed by Chief Kenton Buckner.^[1]

History

In 1831 the Town of Little Rock was incorporated and Dr. Matthew Cunningham won the first mayoral election. In 1835 Little Rock was incorporated as the first City in the Arkansas Territory. The Little Rock Police Department was established in 1866 and in 1892 the first paid Little Rock Fire Department was created.^[3]

Mission Statement

The mission of the Little Rock Police Department is to provide the citizens of Little Rock, Arkansas, with a law enforcement system that effectively integrates and utilizes Departmental, civic and community resources to protect life and property, preserve law and order and enforce State Laws and City Ordinances within the framework of the Constitution.

In order to realize these goals, the efforts of the Department are directed in the following six (6) areas:

1. Recognizing the spirit of the Little Rock Police Department is one of helping people and providing assistance at every opportunity.

2. Enlightening citizens about public safety issues and striving to gain community support in the suppression of criminal activity.

3. Realizing that the employees of our Department are the most important part of the organization and constantly striving to help them in their performance and development.

4. Developing leadership throughout the Department in order to effectively utilize allocated resources for maximum productivity.

5. Aggressively responding to criminal activity throughout the City of Little Rock in a manner consistent with safeguarding the rights of all citizens.

6. Consistently demanding the highest degree of integrity and professionalism from all employees.^[4]

Rank structure

Rank	Insignia
Chief
Assistant Chief
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Police Officer

The Little Rock Police Department has various positions for detectives, Field Training Officers, and other mission specific assignments, but these are not considered official ranks by the department.

Slain officers

^∗Indicates killed by another police officer ^[5]

Misconduct

In January 2011, Officer Jason Gilbert and two other officers from nearby agencies were indicted for a conspiracy to rob an armored car.^[6] The charges included a failed September 10th, 2007 attempt to rob an armored car. In March 2012, Gilbert was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.^[7]

In February 2011, Officer Rick Harmon was arrested for drunk driving.^[8]

In September 2012, Officer Josh Hastings was charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of fifteen-year-old Bobby Moore. According to the charging documents, Moore was shot in the head as he was backing away from the officer trying to flee in a stolen car.^[9] Officer Hastings had been on the force for five years and had been suspended six times previously.^[10] In April, 2014, after two deadlocked juries, charges were dropped as prosecutors said no jury was willing to convict Hastings. He had been fired from his job, but his lawyer said he would take steps to return to the department.^[11]

References