Arkansas Law Enforcement Task Force

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Governor Hutchinson Receives Law-Enforcement Task Force Report, Highlights Action Items

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LITTLE ROCK – Governor Hutchinson received the final report from the Task Force to Advance the State of Law Enforcement in Arkansas today and shared its recommendations that the Governor intends to support during the 93rd General Assembly in January.

“I created the law-enforcement task force in the midst of the civil unrest and violence that arose across the country after the death of George Floyd,” Governor Hutchinson said. “That national crisis led us to assess the state of law enforcement in Arkansas. We want to ensure that we are providing our agencies with the equipment, guidance and training, support, and compensation, that will allow them to perform their jobs at the highest level. The law-enforcement officers, elected officials, and community activists on the task force surveyed a broad base of citizens and produced a report that is filled with substantive proposals.” 

The proposals include 27 recommendation to increase accountability, training, and raise pay to a more competitive level.

Fred Weatherspoon, deputy director of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, chaired the committee. The other members of the task force are:

  • Secretary Jami Cook, Department of Public Safety (DPS)

  • Sheriff Marty Boyd, Craighead County Sheriff’s Office

  • Tim Campbell, Citizen Advocate, Little Rock

  • Kendrell Collins, Assistant Federal Public Defender

  • Emma Davis, Citizen Advocate, Van Buren

  • Lt. Col. Shawn Garner, Arkansas State Police

  • Gina Gomez, El Centrano Hispano

  • Sgt. Allen Hamby, Little Rock Police Department

  • Scott Hamilton, Urban League

  • Sheriff Tim Helder, Washington County Sheriff’s Offic

  • Layla Holloway, Citizen Advocate, Van Buren

  • Mike Knoedl, Retired Law Enforcement Officer

  • Daniel Martinez, Business Owner, De Queen

  • Bob McMahan, Arkansas Officer of Prosecutor Coordinator

  • Chief Mike Reynolds, Fayetteville Police Department

  • Mayor James Sanders, Blytheville

  • Geovanny Sarmiento, Rogers Chamber of Commerce

  • Randy Shores, Arkansas Department of Corrections

  • Steve Shults, Black River Law Enforcement Training Academy

  • Jimmy Warren, Citizen Advocate, Conway

  • Mayor Shirley Washington, Pine Bluff

  • Chief Percy Wilburn, Lake Village Police Department

  • Sgt. Coty Williams, Arkansas State Police

  • Tomekia Williamson, Arkansas Community Corrections

The highlights are here.


The full report is here.


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Governor Hutchinson Appoints Martinez to the Arkansas Law Enforcement Task Force

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Daniel Martínez of UA Cossatot and resident of Lockesburg, Arkansas was recently appointed to the Arkansas Law Enforcement Task Force by Governor Asa Hutchinson on June 11, 2020. Daniel has been selected to represent Southwest Arkansas. He will work with other task force members throughout the state to make recommendations and suggestions to the Governor to enhance trust between law enforcement and communities.
Governor Hutchinson created this task force and selected its members to study and analyze the best practices and procedures for recruiting, training, and maintaining law enforcement officers in the state. The task force members include individuals in law enforcement, community members, and activists.
Martinez plays an active role in his community. He serves on many boards and civic organizations while also volunteering to help make a difference.
After graduating from Lockesburg High School in 2008, Daniel enrolled in college at UA Cossatot. In 2010 he graduated from UA Cossatot with an Associate of Arts degree. In 2013, he became an Administrative Officer for Tres Agaves, and in 2017 he was hired at UA Cossatot for the position of Marketing Coordinator.
Daniel has served on a three-year term as a member of the Board of Directors for the Sevier County De Queen Chamber of Commerce, serving his final year as President in 2019. He is currently in an advisory position to the board as a past president.
Martinez is a member of the De Queen Lion’s Club, and for the past two years, has been a part of the Sevier County Edge (Economic Development for Growth and Excellence) Council. He has also assisted the Sevier County Tourism Committee in the development and creation of the Sevier County tourism logo.
When asked about his new position, Daniel said, “I look forward to representing my community in Southwest Arkansas. I look forward to working with other task force members to help Arkansas Law Enforcement and its communities move forward. I also want to encourage anyone that would like to share concerns or ideas to please contact me via e-mail at dmtz.swark@gmail.com.”
Daniel will work with the Arkansas Law Enforcement Task Force for the remainder of the year to address the pressing issues and concerns that have been discussed across Arkansas and the United States. The task force will make its final recommendations to Governor Hutchinson by December 31, 2020.