Fort Smith, ARK – Six officers from the Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD) were fired after an internal investigation uncovered a series of troubling actions, including unsafe behavior, harassment, and hazing within the department’s night patrol division.
The investigation began on December 10, 2023, after the FSPD’s Office of Professional Standards received reports alleging misconduct among several officers on the night shift. These allegations detailed dangerous practices and unprofessional conduct, including:
- Pointing loaded firearms at fellow officers.
- “Spark-testing” Tasers in a threatening manner, creating fear of being shocked.
- Engaging in hazing activities, such as name-calling.
- Threatening to withhold backup during critical situations if officers refused to comply with the inappropriate behavior.
An internal inquiry, ordered by Police Chief Danny Baker, confirmed the allegations. The investigation identified six officers—Danny Nacalaban, Johnne Le, Michael D’Agostino, Seth Dominic, Dalton Tucker, and Rodrigo Roque—as the individuals responsible for the misconduct.
As a result, the officers were terminated on January 2 and 3, 2025, after being found guilty of violating multiple Civil Service Rules. The FSPD has also requested that the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training decertify the officers, effectively ending their law enforcement careers.
In response to the incident, Chief Danny Baker expressed deep concern and remorse over the officers’ actions, emphasizing that the behavior exhibited was unacceptable and does not reflect the department’s values. “I am deeply troubled that this was going on, and I apologize to those of you who had to endure it,” Baker stated. “The actions of these former officers do not and will not represent the culture and environment of the Fort Smith Police Department as long as I am the Chief of Police.”
The department has committed to making improvements in response to the incident, including the implementation of Citizen Satisfaction Surveys and Quarterly Employee Wellness surveys, both of which began in November 2023.
Chief Baker also praised the individuals who came forward with information about the misconduct, noting that their courage and trust in the department’s leadership were vital in addressing the issue. “Their courage demonstrates the very principles of integrity and accountability that define the Fort Smith Police Department,” he said.
The FSPD has made it clear that they will not tolerate such behavior, and any officers involved in similar misconduct will be held accountable. The department is taking steps to ensure that these actions do not reflect the standards of conduct expected from its personnel moving forward.