In an exciting example of the power of a positive public image, the Arkansas State Police have become online stars.
An assortment of YouTube videos features the state’s troopers immersed in law enforcement. These videos, offering an unfiltered perspective, provide a far more intricate view than popular TV programs such as “Cops.”
The videos, which seem to have been made accessible via Freedom of Information Act requests or, perhaps, a deliberate public communication plan, apparently are compiled and posted by YouTube channel owners, not Arkansas officials.
Among these videos, the high-speed pursuits grab viewers’ attention. Many conclude with a trooper skillfully executing a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) or a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI), successfully forcing fleeing vehicles off the road.
Trooper Jacob Byrd, affectionately known as “The Byrdman,” has earned praise from viewers for his impressive maneuvering. The guy’s an online phenomenon.
Naturally, the question arises: Why do drivers risk trying to evade law enforcement?
Outstanding warrants or legal issues — Individuals with existing warrants or legal issues might try to flee to avoid immediate apprehension.
Carrying illicit substances or objects — Those involved in unlawful activities or transporting illegal goods or substances might try to outrun law enforcement to avert detection and possible prosecution.
Lack of proper documentation — Drivers without valid licenses, insurance, or vehicle registration might try to escape, hoping to sidestep penalties for these infractions.
Impaired judgment — Substance abuse can lead to poor decision-making, and inebriated drivers may irrationally evade the police.
Fear or panic — Basic fear or a sudden panic response could cause a driver to flee the scene after spotting law enforcement.
They’re idiots — If you’re like me, you’ve long concluded that although people are basically good, they’re basically stupid. Don’t believe me? Just look around you. (I’ll wait.)
The world of high-speed police pursuits does carry a certain level of excitement. Who hasn’t been riveted while watching a car chase unfold in a film or broadcast live on TV? It’s akin to a high-stakes chess game on wheels, where every tactical move and countermove has immediate, real-world consequences.
It isn’t hard to believe that some police officers might even feel a grudging respect for the driving abilities of these audacious motorists, much like a seasoned athlete might respect a formidable adversary.
However, remember that while these situations might provide compelling action movie scenes or gripping news footage, they unfold on actual streets among real individuals. The risk factor is high, and law enforcement’s primary goal remains to ensure public safety.
In one Arkansas State Police video, after a suspect is pulled from his high-performance car, he declares: “I’m just saying I could’ve had y’all. Yeah, that was fun, though, wasn’t it?”
The troopers assure him it was not.
Suggested YouTube channels
L.T. Hanlon 