Arkansas State Police reviews northwest troop

SPRINGDALE — Arkansas State Police will be conducting an

administrative review of the police troop that patrols the northwest part of the state, an agency spokesman said.

The review follows several incidents from Troop L in Springdale, including a high-speed pursuit that resulted in a trooper striking a lieutenant with his vehicle, police spokesman Bill Sadler told the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette .

Trooper Alan Aiken’s report states he mistook Lt. John Overman of the State Police for a fleeing driver during the Jan. 11 pursuit. A video recording shows Aiken’s car striking Overman from behind and knocking him sideways to the ground.

Last week, Overman filed a complaint against Aiken and said the trooper wasn’t taking the incident seriously. He also said the incident caused him “lifelong injuries.” The complaint is being investigated by the professional standards office, Sadler said.

Other recent incidents include two civilian troop telecommunications operators that were suspended for several days without pay after they were accused of documenting sick leave as work time “on numerous occasions,” according to a report. The State Police Review Board found the accusations to be true.

Sadler said commanders from administrative headquarters and Office of Professional Standards staff will meet with the troop’s supervisors and troopers to review “routine practices and procedures.”

The review began earlier this year. Saddler said the review was requested by Capt. Lance King and other police officials.

The troop patrols Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties.