On Monday, June 8, Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. announced the names of residents who will participate in a comprehensive, independent review of the Little Rock Police Department (LRPD). He also provided detail of the selection process for a firm that will also take part in the review, along with changes to policies within LRPD. In addition, Chief of Police Keith Humphrey highlighted policy changes that will create more accountable investigations of deadly force and in-custody death cases as well as de-escalating incidents with the public. Curfew has also been lifted, effective Monday, June 8.

Independent review committee members include (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Lt. Bennie F. Bowers—Ret., Michigan State Police
• Furonda Brasfield—Attorney, Law Office of Furonda Brasfield PLLC
• Arkie Byrd—Partner, Mays, Byrd & Associates
• Paula Casey—Former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District
• John DiPippa—Dean Emeritus, UA-Little Rock Bowen School of Law
• Tamika Edwards—Executive Director, Social Justice Institute at Philander Smith College
• Michelle Kaemmerling—Partner, Wright Lindsey Jennings
• Phillip Kaplan—Attorney, Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon and Galchus, P.C.
• Dr. Terry Trevino-Richard—Professor Emeritus of Sociology, UA-Little Rock

The City of Little Rock will seek qualifications from firms nationwide to aide the Committee in producing a comprehensive review. The scope of this review will cover the following: personnel policies and procedures; handling of private and confidential information; and harassment and misconduct.

Separately, Chief Humphrey announced LRPD is in discussion with Arkansas State Police to conduct investigations of all officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths. LRPD will also create a duty to intervene policy, which would require officers who observe another officer using force to prevent further harm if the force being used is not reasonable and the officer has a reasonable opportunity to prevent harm. Officers would also be required to promptly report these observations to a supervisor.

“The independent review and other policy changes coming to LRPD are all in accordance with our ACT plan—to be accountable, clear, and transparent to the residents of Little Rock,” Mayor Scott said. “There are long-standing issues within our police department, and I am optimistic that this review will foster a more unified police force to create a safer Little Rock. Fortunately, we began this work of police department reforms more than a year ago. Since taking office, we created a new no-knock warrant policy to limit its use and will be finalizing the purchase of body-warn cameras in July. We also created a Citizens Review Board that will meet for the first time later this month. These are bold changes that will help us fully achieve the 21st Century Policing model.”