Local trooper assumes post with Criminal Investigation Division

A fixture of law enforcement in northeast Arkansas for the past several years, Senior Special Agent (SSA) Allen Earnhart is known by many in the area due to his role as a highway patrolman for the Arkansas State Police. Earnhart has been with the ASP for 23 years, the past 16 of which have been in service to Clay County and the surrounding areas.

Now, Earnhart has taken a new position with the ASP. Starting this month, SSA Earnhart is performing a new role as an investigator the ASP's Criminal Investigation Division (CID). In his new position, Earnhart will work on a wide array of cases as needed. Whereas dealing mostly with motor vehicle violations and accidents as a member of the highway patrol, Earnhart will now investigate primarily felony crimes. Assigned to the ASP's Company F, headquartered out of Jonesboro, Earnhart is working with a division which handles investigations in numerous counties in northeast Arkansas, including Clay, Greene, Craighead, Randolph, Sharp, Lawrence, Independence, Cleburne, White, Jackson, Poinsett and Mississippi.

Though he may be called to assist in other areas from time to time, Earnhart will remain stationed in Clay County. He has an office set up at the sheriff's department in Piggott.

"My position is changing, but I want everyone here to know I'll be serving this area," Earnhart said. "I've been here for 16 years now and this is my home. This is where I want to be."

Earnhart says his interest in joining the CID stems from his experiences working with the division through his time as a highway patrolman.

"I've been around investigators that have come to Clay County for various things," Earnhart said. "I've been able to help them with some things involved with investigations and I found it interesting. The work was very rewarding to be able to work on a case and solve it. I thought that would be something which I would like to be a part. So, I put in a request to be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division."

As part of his new position, Earnhart has undergone additional training.

"In this division, training is a constant," Earnhart said. "I'll be in and out of different schools for most of the year. We have to constantly update our training. That's something I think a lot of people don't realize. We have to undergo special instruction in order to be prepared for a number of different case types or situations."

Earnhart says he is excited about joining the CID.

"I enjoyed highway patrol, but I wanted to do something different. Being an investigator is something I was interested in doing. I'll be able to continue to work near my home for the most part. I'll still be doing law enforcement, which I enjoy. I want to continue to do my part to keep this area and the people who reside here as safe as possible. If I can be of assistance to anyone, I want them to feel free to contact me."

Persons wishing to contact the Company CID headquarters may call (870) 931-0043. Earnhart may also be contacted at the Clay County Sheriff's Office at (870) 598-3146.