Policing

• Recruiting qualified law enforcement officers is a priority of Mayor Scott and LRPD

• • New officers receive a $10,000 signing bonus – the largest in the state of Arkansas
  • The 'BeLRPD' initiative highlights LRPD’s innovative approach to recruitment and its goal to maintain a diverse police force that reflects the community it serves. Visit BeLRPD.org for more information.

• Targeted patrols in higher-crime areas

• • Uniformed and covert officers in marked and unmarked patrol units focus on specific areas
  • Increased overtime allocations ensure LRPD has the staffing and resources to ensure public safety

• Creation of a Real-Time Crime Center, a hub within LRPD to immediately analyze video and other data from across the City to assist in law enforcement efforts and respond to crime trends

• • The City Board of Directors set aside $1.5 million for the center, with more funding to come from American Rescue Plan Act dollars

• Maintaining a police staffing level higher than the national average

• • Currently, there are 2.6 police officers for every 1,000 residents. The national average is 1.6.

• The Gun Crime Intelligence Unit tracks firearms evidence and links shootings that involve the same weapons to assist in investigations

• LRPD established a new social work program – the first of its kind in the state – to work with at-risk individuals who are susceptible to violence, either as potential offenders or victims

• • LRPD has four social workers and violence intervention specialists, with more planned in coming months

• The YourLRPD app (download from Google Play or the App Store) connects law enforcement to the community, providing real-time updates about service calls and allowing users to submit tips or information