Arkansas – Arkansas State Police Director Colonel Mike Hagar, joined by 25 of the state’s 28 elected prosecutors, issued a strong warning against fleeing from law enforcement.
Speaking at the ASP Precision Driving Training Facility at Camp Robinson, Hagar made it clear that those who attempt to evade police will face serious consequences.
“We will pursue you. We will stop you. And the men and women standing behind me will prosecute you,” Hagar stated.
The announcement came in response to a rise in vehicle pursuits. In 2023, ASP was involved in 553 pursuits statewide, a significant increase from 291 in 2016. Officials expressed concern over the danger these incidents pose to law enforcement and the public.
“We need to focus on the untold number of civilian vehicles caught up in the middle of these pursuits. Each contains our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers,” Hagar said. “Fleeing suspects are terrorizing and traumatizing our communities. Our Troopers will not look the other way.”
ASP released a new public service announcement emphasizing the risks and legal consequences of fleeing from law enforcement. State prosecutors have pledged to prosecute all felony fleeing cases to the fullest extent of the law.