The Arkansas State Police (ASP) have responded to viral videos on social media showing officers using force during arrests, with agency leadership defending its troopers’ actions as rare and carefully reviewed.
Col. Mike Hagar, director of the ASP, disclosed data showing that troopers have conducted over 1,026,000 interactions with the public since January 2023, with only 939 of those—representing 0.09%—documented as involving the use of force. Hagar stressed that such actions are a last resort and are consistently reviewed by the agency.
Hagar said the public dissemination of use-of-force incidents has sparked criticism, including death threats directed at ASP personnel and their families. He declined to comment on specific ongoing cases, citing criminal and civil litigation in progress.
“All uses of force by an ASP trooper are a regrettable last resort and reviewed carefully,” Hagar stated.
Hagar accused social media users and online streamers of misrepresenting recent incidents by reposting older videos without context for financial gain. He claimed these reposted videos were deliberately edited to generate increased viewership.
“Recently released videos of use-of-force incidents are being sensationalized and monetized on social media,” Hagar explained. “When streamers determined these videos would generate revenue, they scoured archives and re-released older videos, presenting them as new and creating a false narrative.”
Hagar claimed that such actions have contributed to retraumatizing victims and communities. He added that many of the videos stem from ASP footage that was made available through Freedom of Information Act requests, underscoring the agency's transparency.
Emphasizing that use-of-force incidents share common catalysts, Hagar said, “All uses of force are driven by two common denominators: unlawful activity and noncompliance. Take those two factors out of the equation, and there will be no incidents for us to explain or debate.”
Hagar acknowledged the frustration caused by viral videos but argued they create an inaccurate perception that use-of-force incidents are widespread within the department. Despite challenges, Hagar said ASP would remain focused on public safety and has been encouraged by public support.
“We will continue to highlight the good work of our agency,” Hagar said. “The safety of Arkansans will always be our top priority.”
No additional details about any specific incidents or ongoing investigations were provided.