Arkansas State Police defend use-of-force amid scrutiny

Arkansas State Police Director Col. Mike Hagar is defending the agency’s use-of-force practices following public scrutiny of recent incidents. Hagar stated that force should be evaluated based on the complete circumstances of an encounter rather than isolated video clips, noting that troopers operate in high-stress environments. According to agency data, troopers recorded 939 uses of force during more than 1,026,000 officer-violator contacts between January 2023 and August 2024.

The scrutiny follows a violent arrest in Blytheville involving Tedrick Washington Jr., a former Division I basketball player. During an August 19 police pursuit, a state trooper, Theodore Henderson, reportedly used a baton to break an SUV window and then punched Washington in the face and pulled him by his hair. Washington maintains he was cooperating, while Henderson’s report claims Washington “postured up” as if to strike him. Washington has been charged with resisting arrest and obstruction, and is reportedly preparing legal action.