The men and women in law enforcement dedicate their lives to protecting their neighbors, responding in moments of crisis and helping build stronger communities. They answer the call when others need help most and deserve our support and the tools necessary to serve safely and effectively.

To support public safety, we must build trust between law enforcement and those they serve.

Across The Natural State, National Night Out events give residents and officers the opportunity to create or maintain relationships outside of emergency situations. The Pine Bluff Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office hosted a joint event where residents could connect with the officers who serve them. Rogers and Springdale also hosted events recently that brought families and first responders together to reinforce healthy police-community partnerships. And a similar opportunity is scheduled for residents of Bentonville in October.

These gatherings remind us that the men and women behind the badge are also our neighbors, friends and fellow Arkansans.

But building trust must be matched with action. Our officers need the tools, training and resources to safely serve their communities and respond to the challenges they face every day.

Law enforcement agencies in our state recently received significant federal investments to support public safety. A federal STOP Formula Grant provided $1.8 million to strengthen statewide initiatives, while additional Byrne Justice Assistance Grants are helping departments purchase equipment, improve training and expand their ability to combat crime. I am pleased that the Working Families Tax Cuts package bolstered these successful programs so they can support even more law enforcement agencies with resources to combat violent crime.

I have also worked to secure targeted investments through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process, including $5.5 million to establish the Arkansas Criminal Intelligence Network, allowing agencies to share critical information and evidence analysis in real time.

Additional funding I secured is supporting real-time crime centers in Jonesboro and Batesville, upgrades for the Bald Knob Police Department and resources for the Arkansas State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Crime does not stop at city or county lines, and our efforts to combat it shouldn’t either. By improving information sharing, expanding technology and strengthening partnerships between agencies, we can better protect Arkansas families.

Enhancing tools, resources and training for first responders is an important part of promoting public safety. And it is unquestionably necessary in light of the risks they face every day. That is something we must never lose sight of.

Earlier this summer, Arkansas lost one of these heroes when Marked Tree Police Officer Trevor Howard was killed while serving his community. On June 28, Officer Howard lost his life in a vehicle crash when an impaired driver struck his patrol vehicle after running a stop sign. His fellow officer, Anthony Johnson, was also injured and has since recovered.

Officer Howard served with the Marked Tree Police Department for nearly two months after spending five years with the Lawrence County Detention Center. He leaves behind family, fellow officers and a community grateful for the role he played in protecting them. We continue to keep his loved ones and colleagues in our thoughts and prayers.

Supporting law enforcement is an ongoing commitment. By strengthening trust between officers and the people they serve, providing agencies with the resources they need and honoring the sacrifices made by those who wear the badge, we can help build a safer, stronger Arkansas.