“We will pursue you. We will stop you.” This is the stern message that the Arkansas State Police (ASP) aim to convey to individuals who contemplate speeding away from a traffic stop. The ASP is committed to apprehending and detaining anyone who tries to flee from law enforcement.
According to ASP, there has been a significant increase of 90 percent in police chases over the past eight years. In 2024, there were a reported 553 pursuits, compared to 291 reported in 2016.
According to state police in Arkansas, they have made it clear that all cases involving felony fleeing will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
ASP aims to put an end to police chases by employing a PIT maneuver, also referred to as a tactical vehicle intervention. This maneuver involves an officer intentionally crashing into a fleeing vehicle.
“We will do what is safest for the public. That’s why we instructed ASP Trooper, as soon as they have articulated the suspects are fleeing, to put them in a ditch,” ASP Col. Mike Hagar said in a news release.
In July 2024, the ASP took swift action to protect heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic in West Memphis by utilizing a PIT maneuver to stop a speeding Mustang. Video footage captures the moment when a trooper successfully crashes into the back of the Mustang, causing it to spin off the road. The trooper immediately reports the incident, stating “TVI. TVI. TVI.” Following the crash, law enforcement arrested two individuals involved in the incident.
In September 2023, a retired ASP trooper found themselves in a bit of a predicament after mistakenly employing a PIT maneuver on the wrong vehicle during a police chase.
Fleeing from law enforcement in a vehicle is considered a Class A Misdemeanor in Arkansas.