Arkansas State Police (ASP) Director Col. Mike Hagar released a public statement Tuesday accusing “for-profit streamers” and unnamed media outlets of sensationalizing police use-of-force videos to generate social media engagement.
Hagar alleged that some publishers selectively edit footage and present older incidents as new, contributing to what he called a “false narrative” about the frequency of force used by Arkansas troopers. The statement followed heightened scrutiny over two videos of recent arrests in Mississippi County, which both received widespread public attention.
The director offered statistics to contextualize the department's actions, noting that from January 2023 through August 28, 2026, the ASP Highway Patrol Division recorded over 1.026 million officer-violator contacts. Hagar said 939 of those involved documented uses of force, equating to 0.09 percent of all encounters—or about nine instances of force per 10,000 interactions. He did not, however, include details such as how the agency defines use of force, specific types of force used, or individual outcomes.
Hagar emphasized that use-of-force and pursuit-related videos are released in response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and argued that the public often sees only edited portions of those recordings, which he said are meant to “generate likes, comments, and shares.”
The director declined to name specific media outlets or provide examples of older incidents being reposted as new. Hagar acknowledged that the agency reviews each instance of force but stated that no further comment would be made on incidents linked to ongoing criminal or civil cases.
### Recent Arrests Under Review
Among the recent cases sparking criticism is the Aug. 1 arrest of Alisa Hackett, 18, near Manila. Video footage shows Trooper Moisses Arellano taking Hackett to the ground and striking her in the face during her arrest. Hackett has since filed a federal lawsuit against Arellano, alleging excessive force, retaliation, and other civil rights violations. Those claims are pending resolution in federal court.
The second incident involved the Aug. 19 arrest of Tedrick Washington outside Blytheville, following a police pursuit. Video from the scene depicts Trooper Teddy Henderson breaking a vehicle’s rear window, pulling Washington out by his dreadlocks, and striking him. Henderson stated in his report that Washington was resisting, refused commands, and appeared ready to strike him. A Gosnell police officer assisting with the arrest also reported using force during the encounter.
Hagar’s statement did not address whether ASP had completed internal reviews into these incidents or what conclusions may have been reached.
### ASP's Response and Broader Context
Hagar described any use of force as a “regrettable last resort” and reiterated that reviews are conducted for every instance to ensure compliance. He also mentioned two prior instances in which troopers were reportedly assaulted during traffic stops the previous week, without providing further details.
The director argued that law enforcement decisions are made in real-time, often under stressful conditions, in contrast to the conclusions drawn from viewing footage after the fact. He asserted that all uses of force involve two common factors: “unlawful activity and noncompliance,” adding, “Take those two factors out of the equation, and there will be no incidents for us to explain or debate.”
Hagar also reported receiving death threats targeting troopers and their families following the public release of the videos but did not provide specifics. Despite these challenges, he stated that ASP would remain focused on its public safety mission, dismissing what he described as a distraction from their broader goals.
The Arkansas State Police continues to face public scrutiny as these incidents play out in court and response to its policies and practices unfolds statewide. All individuals accused in these cases remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.