To Protect and Serve

Law Enforcement in the State’s Largest Industry

The law enforcement officers of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department)devote their careers to protecting the top industry in the state-- agriculture. These fully-certified officers investigate crimes that affect any part of Arkansas agriculture, and they help enforce regulations promulgated by the boards and commissions within the Department. But two years ago, the team had a much narrower focus. Billy Black, the Chief of Law Enforcement for the Department, was first an officer for the Arkansas Forestry Division. He and other law enforcement officers were responsible for investigating wildfires, arson, dumping, and timber and equipment theft, until the duties of the law enforcement team were expanded in 2018 to cover a wider range of agricultural crimes. He and his team of three additional officers are now part of the Shared Services Division of the Department and serve all producers and all divisions within the department. “We stay busy,” says Black. The department’s four law enforcement officers cover the entire state. Their biggest caseload remains timber theft, but as word of team’s expanded duties spreads, cases dealing with livestock theft and other agricultural crimes are increasing. Before the expansion of duties for the Department law enforcement team, local law enforcement was the sole source of assistance for victims of agricultural crimes that were not forestry-related. Now, the department’s law enforcement team is available to assist local law enforcement entities in responding to all agricultural crimes. “We value our partnership with local law enforcement and are proud to be another tool for them to use in addressing agricultural crimes in rural areas across the state,” said Black.

The law enforcement team has also worked cases that cross state lines. Investigators have partnered with the Ashley County Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana authorities, including the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, to stop an arsonist responsible for setting fires in Arkansas and Louisiana. Charges are currently pending in the case where 70 acres were burned in Arkansas and more than 27 were burned in Louisiana. “I want people to know that we are here. We’re a specialized unit that’s made for them,” said Black. “Farmers and ranchers work hard every day to feed, clothe, and shelter the rest of us, and we want to be helpful in every way we can when they are the victims of crime.” Victims of agricultural crimes should contact their local authorities first to start the process, then contact the Department by calling or submitting a complaint form through the Department’s website. One of the Department’s law enforcement officers will contact the victim and local authorities. The Department’s officers and local authorities will then decide the best course of action for the case. Just because agriculture-related crimes aren’t the most heinous doesn’t mean they aren’t important. Black says he’s seen a family lose their entire retirement because of timber theft. Luckily, his officers were able to catch the person responsible and the family got their money back. On average, the law enforcement “We value our partnership with local law enforcement and are proud to be another tool for them to use in addressing agricultural crimes in rural areas across the state.”

Black said, “Helping people recover their losses makes it all worthwhile.”

Take precautions to protect your farm from CRIMINALS!

There are several precautions you can take to make your farm less vulnerable to criminals according to law enforcement. Officers say you should:

1. Lock your gates

2. Take your keys out of equipment

3. Don’t build animal corrals next to the road

4. Post no trespassing signs

5. Put up a game camera so authorities have some evidence to use

To learn more about the Department’s law enforcement service or to file a complaint, go to agriculture.arkansas.gov/law-enforcement.