Internal investigation shows part-time Springdale officers were under-trained; captain suspended

Courtesy Photo. Captain Ron Hritz of the Springdale police department.
Courtesy Photo. Captain Ron Hritz of the Springdale police department.

SPRINGDALE -- A longtime police captain recently was suspended without pay after an internal department investigation revealed three armed part-time officers were not properly trained before starting duties, according to a Police Department investigation.

Capt. Ron Hritz violated city policy and was suspended without pay this month, in part, for misconduct and incompetency, according to information released under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

"All three part-time II officers have been working as armed personnel for the (Springdale Police Department) in the court security, building security and handling of prisoners during assigned community service," according to the summary investigation findings. "At the time, they were assigned their armed duties, none of the officers appeared to have been trained in defensive tactics, baton training, handcuffing techniques or handgun retention training."

The officers since have been trained through the Washington County Sheriff's Office, said Lt. Jeff Taylor, spokesman.

Hritz was suspended with pay during the investigation, which started March 28, according to a department letter. He was suspended without pay from April 28 to May 5, documents show.

Hritz was not demoted or given any other reprimand, Taylor said. Hritz has been an officer for about 24 years.

The investigation's summary was turned over to Police Chief Mike Peters. Several policy violations were cited in the reports.

NW News on 05/23/2017

Upcoming Events