MINUTES of ARKANSAS STATE POLICE COMMISSION MEETING January 14, 2010 the Arkansas State Police Commission Met on Thursday, Janua
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MINUTES OF ARKANSAS STATE POLICE COMMISSION MEETING January 14, 2010 The Arkansas State Police Commission met on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at the Arkansas State Police Headquarters, Little Rock, Arkansas. Commission Chairman Childers called the meeting to order at 10:11 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Dr. Charisse Childers, Chairman Commissioner Dr. Lewis Shepherd, Vice-Chairman Commissioner John Allison, Secretary Commissioner Steve Smith Commissioner Jane Christenson Commissioner Woody Futrell Commissioner Wallace Fowler STATE POLICE PERSONNEL ATTENDING: Colonel Winford Phillips Lt. Colonel Tim K’Nuckles Major Kathy Sparks Major Les Braunns Major Ed Wolfe Major Cleve Barfield Lieutenant Rick Dickinson Captain Jeff Jester Captain Lloyd Franklin Captain Nate Jackson Captain Gloria Cook Lieutenant Stan Witt Lieutenant Mike Foster Captain Steve Coleman Corporal Paulette Ward Captain Mike Fletcher Captain Mike Davidson Karen Perry Lieutenant Jimmy Smith Pam Davidson Lieutenant Leonard Hogg Emma French Gary Glisson Lieutenant Robert Speer Lieutenant Ron Stayton Lieutenant Glenn Sligh Lieutenant Mark Blankenship Captain Henry La Mar Lieutenant Steve Coppinger Lieutenant Bill Beach Ken Stoll Captain J. R. Hankins Richard Davis Wayne Eddy Lieutenant Barry Saffold Bridget White Captain Dale Saffold Bill Sadler Lieutenant Cora Gentry OTHERS PRESENT: Steve Cook, ASP Foundation Joe Thielke, ASP Foundation Mike Hocutt, ASP Foundation Penny Rubow, AWIN/DIS Randy Lann, ASP Foundation Chaplain Walter “Bubba” Smith OPENING PRAYER: Chaplain Walter “Bubba” Smith opened the meeting with prayer. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Allison led the pledge of allegiance. NOTIFICATION OF MEDIA: The media was notified of this meeting on January 4, 2010. MINUTES OF THE ARKANSAS STATE POLICE COMMISSION MEETING January 14, 2010 – Page 2 Commissioner Childers welcomed the attendees and recognized guests, some with the Arkansas State Police Foundation, Joe Thielke, Mike Hocutt, Randy Lann, and Steve Cook. Commissioner Childers also welcomed her husband, Marvin Childers. Commissioner Childers stated she appreciated everybody being here today for a very special day for her and for Dr. Shepherd. She thanked Dr. Smith for opening the meeting in prayer and Commissioner Allison for leading the Pledge of Allegiance. She announced they would elect the Commission Officers for 2010. ELECTION OF ASPC OFFICERS OF 2010: Commissioner Allison made a motion that Commissioner Steve Smith be elected Secretary of the ASP Commission for 2010. Commissioner Futrell seconded and the motion carried. Commissioner Shepherd made a motion that Commissioner John Allison be elected Vice Chairman of the ASP Commission for 2010. Commissioner Futrell seconded and the motion carried. Commissioner Christenson made a motion that Commissioner Dr. Lewis Shepherd be elected Chairman of the ASP Commission for 2010. Commissioner Smith seconded and the motion carried. Commissioner Childers addressed the audience stating, “Before I pass the gavel, which is the next item on the agenda, I would like to say a few words to all of you that I consider my Arkansas State Police family.” She continued, “There is no way that I can recognize every single one of you and what you mean to me, so I’ve prepared a few words, and please know this is for all of you that are in this room and those that are not in this room that I’ve had the privilege to work with.” She said then, “It has truly been an honor to have served on the Arkansas State Police Commission for the past seven years. Not only have I had the opportunity to address the issues brought before the Commission with pride and perseverance, I have gained a tremendous amount of respect for this organization and its mission. I consider it a privilege to have served under Governor Beebe, a governor who is not bashful about the fact that the men and women of the Arkansas State Police are the elite. There is no doubt that he believes in the importance of this agency and its success. I also appreciate Attorney General Dustin McDaniel for the representation he has provided this organization. Not only has he provided us with legal representation, he has also taken an active role on several cases all the way through the appellate court to support the legal actions of our troops and our troopers, and we owe him our thanks. My appointment to this commission was as big a shock to me as it was to the other commissioners sitting here. But as you all know, I accepted the responsibility with a commitment and determination to be more than a governor’s appointee and to do what is best and right for the men and women of the Arkansas State Police. I hope that I have exceeded your expectations and that there was never a doubt that my intentions were honest and pure, saying that, I realize that I may be one of the most unorthodox members of the Arkansas State Police Commission. As many of you know, I am not bashful about making my position known, which has been illustrated in my voting record on promotions and other commission business or non- business. I am sure that you will agree that I never hesitated in taking a stand on things that were right and best for the State Police. I am hopeful that throughout my service, I provided an opportunity for discussion that would not have happened otherwise, and that I have encouraged and created many new traditions for this commission. One tradition that I hope will be maintained is for the commission to travel around the state for commission meetings, including hosting a meeting in their own area of the state. The event in 2004 was most memorable. Some still talk about the visit to Blytheville. This provides an opportunity to show all ASP commissioned and non-commissioned officers that what they do is important to us; so much that we are willing to travel to their headquarters. Thank you to those who have hosted our meetings in the past. Another tradition is the tailgate party in Jonesboro when ASU honors its heroes in law enforcement. This event was not held this year due to concerns about the weather, however as it turned out, the weather was beautiful on this November day and we all missed an opportunity to honor those in law MINUTES OF THE ARKANSAS STATE POLICE COMMISSION MEETING January 14, 2010 – Page 3 enforcement in the northeast Arkansas area and visit with friends and family and co- workers, and legislators and the governor, who is usually there. The tradition of the awards banquet is extremely important. I was able to play a role in planning this year’s award banquet for the past year’s, and if you’ve not already done so, please express your appreciation to the Board of Directors of the Arkansas State Police Foundation for making this event possible. This event is funded by private dollars raised by the Foundation from citizens who believe in this organization and want to show their appreciation for the work that you do on a daily basis. Some of my most fond memories of my service on this commission will be promotions, award banquet, Trooper of the Year, the Preparatory Trooper Academy, the Honor Guard, the anticipation of and the pride of meeting new recruits for Troop School, Graduation Ceremony, the Interstate Criminal Patrol, and I could go on and on and on.” “Fellow commissioners, it has been an honor to serve with you, from Wynona Bryant- Williams to Jerry Davis, who was a dear friend of the State Police and continues to be remembered, to Roger Meek, Warren Dupwe, Steve Smith, Woody Futrell, Johnny Allison, Jane Christenson, Lewis Shepherd, and to the most recent appointee, Wallace Fowler, it has been my privilege, and I could not have handpicked a group of individuals. You all have heard me say time and time again, speaking on your behalf, that we all are most interested in doing what is best for the Arkansas State Police, and I appreciate you for that. I love you and I will miss you. To the Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Majors, Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants, Troopers and support staff, thank you for your dedication and commitment to this agency and for what you do. The men and women of the Arkansas State Police are a diverse group of individuals that have chosen a career that requires the ultimate dedication and service. Many of you are asked to put your lives on the line for our safety and protection, and I will always respect and appreciate what you do for us, the citizens of Arkansas.” “As a member of the Commission, I hope to be remembered as one who displayed the same dedication to the Arkansas State Police with extraordinary professionalism and enthusiasm. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, ‘Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.’ I have great enthusiasm for this cause, and I promise to keep working with and for you as a member of the Foundation.” “As an expression of our appreciation, Marvin and I pledge to make an additional contribution to the ASP Foundation on an annual basis in an amount to cover the cost of the service weapon for the Trooper of the Year, and we commit to do this for the next 10 years. We both love this organization and I am proud to be a member of the Arkansas State Police family. Thank you so much.” PASSING OF THE GAVEL: Commissioner Childers stated, “It is my honor to pass this gavel to you, Dr. Lewis Shepherd; I wish you the best and have enjoyed serving on this commission with you.” Commissioner Futrell thanked Commissioner Childers on behalf of the Commissioners for her seven years of service to the State Police. He stated it had been an honor and a pleasure working with her, and she would truly be missed by the State Police.