Batesville Arkansas Police

Batesville Arkansas Police Protecting and Serving the citizens of Batesville.

09/11/2026

**********NEWS RELEASE************

Batesville Police Department Achieves Prestigious ALEAP Accreditation
BATESVILLE, AR

The Batesville Police Department is proud to announce that it has officially earned accreditation
through the Arkansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP). This significant
milestone recognizes the department’s commitment to meeting the highest professional
standards in modern policing.

Earning ALEAP accreditation is a rigorous process that requires a law enforcement agency to
demonstrate full compliance with dozens of comprehensive standards. These cover essential
operational areas, including use of force, officer training, evidence management, internal
accountability, and community engagement. By achieving this distinction, the Batesville Police
Department joins an elite group of law enforcement agencies across the state of Arkansas. Of
the 214 police departments across the state, only 25 including the Batesville Police Department
have achieved Tier 1 Advanced accreditation.
This achievement holds immense value for the City of Batesville, its police force, and the
community:
● For the City: Earning state recognized accreditation validates that municipal operations
are aligned with best-in-class industry standards, mitigating liability risks and reinforcing
high operational integrity.
● For the Department: Accreditation establishes clear, modernized policies and
procedures that empower officers with best practices, improving agency morale and
setting a standardized baseline for operational excellence.
● For the Community: This designation serves as an objective, independent stamp of
approval. It reassures residents that their police department holds itself to rigorous

standards of transparency, fairness, and accountability, further strengthening public
trust.
Reaching this high benchmark was a true team effort across the entire organization. The
milestone was made possible through the dedicated work of all Batesville police officers, driven
by the leadership and tireless organizational efforts of Captain Fred Friar, who spearheaded the
comprehensive accreditation process.
On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Chief John Scarbrough and Mayor Rick Elumbaugh
presented Captain Fred Friar with a certificate of appreciation for all of his hard work which led
the department to accreditation.
"Achieving ALEAP accreditation reflects our agency& #39;s dedication to serving Batesville with
honor, efficiency, and transparency," said Police Chief John Scarbrough "This accomplishment
required a massive effort from our entire staff, and I am especially grateful to Captain Fred Friar
for his exceptional leadership throughout this rigorous process. Every officer on our force played
a role in making this success possible."
An official presentation ceremony with representatives from the Arkansas Law Enforcement
Accreditation Program will take place on September 23 2026 at the Arkansas Association of
Chiefs of Police Conference.
About the Batesville Police Department
The Batesville Police Department is dedicated to protecting and serving the citizens of
Batesville, Arkansas, through proactive, community-oriented policing and high professional
standards.

09/02/2026

**********News Release************

Possible Gr***de Discovered During Fire Cleanup Operation
Batesville Fire Department personnel responded to a house fire on Broadwater Lane on Tuesday
evening, 9/1/2026, and extinguished the blaze.
During a cleanup operation the following day, a family member of the homeowners discovered
what appeared to be a hand gr***de among the fire debris. It was unknown at the time whether
the device was live or inert.
Shortly afterward, the fire reignited, and the fire department responded to assess the scene. Upon
learning of the possible hand gr***de, the Batesville Police Department became involved and
coordinated with fire personnel to address the situation.
Because of the potential hazard posed by the suspected explosive device, fire operations were
conducted from a safe distance to protect a nearby residence and surrounding area.
The Arkansas State Police Bomb Squad and the FBI Bomb Squad were notified and requested to
respond to assist with the suspected hand gr***de.
The Batesville Police Department would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Arkansas
State Police Bomb Squad, the FBI Bomb Squad, and the Batesville Fire Department for
their quick response, professionalism, and cooperation during the recent incident.
The immediate response and coordinated efforts of each agency were instrumental in ensuring
the safety of our community, officers, emergency personnel, and everyone involved. Your
willingness to respond on short notice and work seamlessly with our department is a testament to
the dedication and professionalism of your personnel.
We are extremely grateful for the assistance provided and for the strong partnership that exists
between our agencies. The Batesville Police Department sincerely appreciates your service and
commitment to protecting the citizens of Batesville and the surrounding communities.
Thank you for your outstanding response, cooperation, and continued support.

07/08/2026

A sincere thank you to our incredible community partners... 🙏

The Batesville Police Department would like to extend a massive thank you to Randy Ward of Fred's Catfish, the team at Kalsnicks, and Walmart Store 119 for their incredibly generous donations.
On July 5th, our officers were working hard on-site to ensure a safe and successful 250th Celebration at the municipal golf course. Thanks to Fred's Catfish and Kalsnicks, we were able to keep the entire department fed throughout the event.
Additionally, a huge shoutout to Walmart Store 119 for their generous donation of water. Because of them, we were not only able to keep our officers hydrated in the heat, but we were also able to hand out water to community members in the crowd who needed it.
We are deeply grateful to Fred's Catfish, Kalsnicks, and Walmart Store 119 for always stepping up to support our officers and our citizens. We couldn't do it without partners like you! 🤝🚓☀️

07/06/2026

If anyone lost a key-fob at the Fireworks tonight. See the Batesville Police Department.

07/05/2026

PSA: JULY 5TH '26 RIVERSIDE FIREWORKS
Date Posted: 07/05/2026
Category: General

We hope to see you at the Riverside Park Municipal Golf Course today, July 5th! In order to facilitate the safest July 4th celebration of 250 years of Independence, the Batesville Police Department, in cooperation with our emergency response partners, is releasing this information for the broadest public dissemination possible:

Parents/Guardians & Missing Persons:
• Have a recent picture of all children in your care on your phone/person (preferably taken on the day of the event in the clothes they will be wearing)
• Officers present at the park will have forms to collect information and descriptors for lost children and missing persons
• Officers will remain with the reporting party to coordinate reunification

General Preparedness:
• Please drink plenty of water before and during the event to maintain hydration levels
• Take breaks in the shade or inside to regulate body heat and reduce sun exposure
• Emergency personnel will be stationed on scene in numerous places to assist with medical events including heat-related emergencies

Road-way and Parking:
• Please keep the main roads to and from the event clear for emergency vehicle traffic or evacuations - vehicles blocking access will be towed
• Heed officer direction, safety cones, tape and signage regarding traffic and parking
• Traffic after the event will be congested - we greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation

Inclement Weather:
• Lightning may cause delay or cancellation. Seek shelter inside buildings/vehicles - not under trees
• In the event of a tornado, hail, strong winds, etc., the Batesville High School and Batesville Community Center will be available as shelters.

Serious Incidents:
• Follow the directions of officers and other emergency personnel on scene.
• Report suspicious persons or objects to the nearest law enforcement officer without delay.
• You have the right to defend yourself - Run, Hide, Fight!

06/23/2026

*******News Release*******

In 2022, a Jonesboro Police Officer tragically lost their life during a training incident. In the wake of the tragedy, the state mandated strict new safety protocols for training exercises to ensure an incident like this never happens again.

Among these new mandates is the requirement to have a rapid-cooling water tub on-site, allowing officers to be quickly submerged and cooled down if they overheat during intense training drills. We are incredibly grateful to announce that the Harris family and Harris Farm Supply have stepped up to support our team by generously donating a high-quality watering trough that perfectly fulfills this safety requirement.

The donation is more than just equipment; it is a vital safeguard for the health and well-being of the officers who work tirelessly to protect us. We extend our deepest gratitude to Harris Farm Supply for their proactive community spirit, their generosity, and their commitment to keeping our officers safe.

Thank you, Harris family, for standing with us.

06/17/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Batesville Police Department to Conduct Multi-Agency Training Exercise on June 18,
2026

BATESVILLE, AR – June 3, 2026 – The Batesville Police Department will be conducting a multi-agency law enforcement training exercise on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in the area of 14th Street between Byers Street and Neeley Street in Batesville.
Residents in the area may notice an increased presence of law enforcement vehicles, emergency personnel, and training-related activities throughout the day. Portions of the training
area may experience temporary traffic disruptions; however, every effort will be made to minimize inconvenience to the public.

The training is strictly an exercise, and there is no threat to public safety. Personnel will be present to help inform residents and motorists of the ongoing training activities.

The Batesville Police Department remains committed to providing professional law enforcement services and recognizes the importance of continuous training to ensure officers are prepared torespond effectively to critical incidents.

We appreciate the community's patience and understanding as we conduct this important training.

For additional information, please contact:
Lt. Rob Leonard
Batesville Police Department
710 S. St. Louis Street
Batesville, AR 72501
Phone: 870-569-8111

06/05/2026

***** IMPORTANT MESSAGE******

Last June, I issued a 'Letter from the Chief' outlining the positive transformations achieved within the department during my inaugural year. I believe it is essential to provide the public with an ongoing update regarding the continued progress of your police department.

Our officers remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, striving for continuous improvement each day. Through rigorous and ongoing training, our department is better equipped than ever to serve the diverse needs of our community.
Our Patrol Division remains steadfast in its commitment to public safety, actively responding to calls for service with vigilance. The Criminal Investigation Division continues to work diligently, ensuring thorough resolutions for every case assigned to our investigators. Furthermore, our Administrative Division is tirelessly enhancing our operational efficiency, implementing the necessary checks and balances to pursue department accreditation.

The City of Batesville is served by some of the most dedicated and skilled professionals in law enforcement, and it is a privilege to lead such an exemplary team.
While last year’s report emphasized organizational transformation, I invite you to note the significant increase in our officers' operational workload this year. This agency remains proactive and resolute in our mission to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.

The following was reported to the Batesville Police Department.
Year Reported
2024
2025
Calls for Service
12,575
15,559
Incident Reports
646
776
Arrest
308
376
Citations
128
2,473
Warnings
210
3,163
Accidents
592
549

Operational Highlights & Strategic Advancement
Our department is aggressively advancing our operational capabilities through elite-level training and the deployment of life-saving technology. We are not just maintaining standards; we are setting new benchmarks for public safety in Batesville.
Advanced Tactical Proficiency: Officers are mastering high-stakes building-clearing techniques, shifting from deliberate to dynamic responses for active-threat and barricade scenarios.
Specialized Readiness: Ten officers completed intensive SWAT training, while another achieved certification as a Hostage Negotiator, significantly bolstering our crisis response toolkit.
Full-Scale Equipment Deployment: As of 2026, 100% of our patrol officers are fully trained and equipped with both Tasers and AEDs, ensuring immediate life-saving intervention is available at every scene.

Holistic Officer Wellness: Our peer counseling team continues to evolve, providing critical support and ensuring our personnel remain resilient and focused on community service.

06/03/2026

********* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *********

Batesville Police Department to Conduct Multi-Agency Training Exercise on June 18,
2026
The Batesville Police Department will be conducting a
multi-agency law enforcement training exercise on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in the area of
14th Street between Byers Street and Neeley Street in Batesville.
Residents in the area may notice an increased presence of law enforcement vehicles,
emergency personnel, and training-related activities throughout the day. Portions of the training
area may experience temporary traffic disruptions; however, every effort will be made to
minimize inconvenience to the public.
The training is strictly an exercise, and there is no threat to public safety. Personnel will be
present to help inform residents and motorists of the ongoing training activities.
The Batesville Police Department remains committed to providing professional law enforcement
services and recognizes the importance of continuous training to ensure officers are prepared to
respond effectively to critical incidents.
We appreciate the community's patience and understanding as we conduct this important
training.
For additional information, please contact:
Lt. Rob Leonard
Batesville Police Department
710 S. St. Louis Street
Batesville, AR 72501
Phone: 870-569-8111

Address

710 S. St. Louis Street
Batesville, AR
72501

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