Camden Aleta Class 2026-a Graduates 77 New Officers

CAMDEN, Ark. — The Arkansas Division of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (ADLEST) proudly announces the graduation of Class 2026-A from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) in Camden.

The 77 graduating cadets represented 46 various departments during their completion of an intensive training program designed to prepare them for the responsibilities and challenges of a career in law enforcement. Their time at ALETA has tested their strength, sharpened their skills, and reinforced their commitment to service.

“Each graduate standing here today has earned their place through hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to doing what is right,” said ADLEST Director Chris Chapmond. “They are entering a profession that requires both strength and compassion, and we are proud to welcome them into the law enforcement community.”

These cadets have received comprehensive training in areas including criminal law, firearms, defensive tactics, emergency response, and community engagement, preparing them to serve with integrity and professionalism.

“This class has demonstrated resilience and a strong sense of purpose from day one,” said Scott Williams, Camden ALETA Supervisor. “They have developed not only the skills required for the job, but also the mindset needed to serve their communities with honor.”

Special recognition and awards were presented to the cadets who attained the highest scores within the respective training categories listed as follows:

Academics:1. Caroline Patterson, El Dorado PD2. Jailen Miller, Monticello PD3. Samuel Cole, Trumann PD

Physical Fitness:1. Payton Hayes, Hot Springs PD2. TIE – Donovan Harris, Ouachita Co. SO / Micxsael Rios, Hot Springs PD3. Brady Parker, Hot Springs PD

Firearms:1. Danny Crocker, Texarkana PD2. Justin Cochran, Atkins PD3. Riley Scruggs, AR State Univ. PD

Emergency Vehicle Obstacle Course (EVOC):1. Dylan Lamb, Eureka Springs PD2. Justin Cochran, Atkins PD3. Chastin Stephens, Cleveland Co. SO

The graduates and their agencies are as follows: Kami Piper, Warren PD – Class Leader

Calvin Johnson, South Arkansas College PD – Squad A LeaderDonovan Harris, Ouachita Co. SO – Squad A Asst. LeaderHunter Allen, DeWitt PDKeggan Baker, Heber Springs PDTaryn Ballard, Arkansas Tech UDPeyton Barbour, Johnson Co. SOLanden Barringer, Pine Bluff PDReco Battles, Osceola PDHeidi Bickham, Russellville PDNoah Bramucci, Crittenden Co. SOAllen Butler, Camden PDAubrey Butler, Texarkana PDDominick Castagna, Bull Shoals PDJustin Cochran, Atkins PD

Wyatt Clark, Helena/West Helena PD – Squad B LeaderMistie Mendez, Russellville PD – Squad B Asst. LeaderSamuel Cole, Trumann PDMichael Cox, Bradley Co. SODanny Crocker, Texarkana PDJacob Deffenbaugh, Fordyce PDZachery Edgin, St. Francis Co. SOEthan Evans, Wynne PDCaleb Fisher, Hot Springs PDCortney Fox, Jefferson Co. SOCameron Franks, Crossett PDLawson Gibbs, Camden PD

Mark Hughes, Hot Springs PD – Squad C LeaderKatelynn White, Ashley Co. SO – Squad C Asst. LeaderChristian Gomez, Hot Springs PDAlexander Gongora, University of ARDCristopher Griffith, Magnolia PDPayton Hayes, Hot Springs PDLuke Hendrix, Wynne PDJameria Johnson, Helena/West Helena PDMadison Jones, Searcy PDHunter Kilby, Hot Springs PDDylan Lamb, Eureka Springs PDDaniel Lawson, Helena/West Helena PD

Whitney Smith, Russellville PD – Squad D LeaderJesse Jackson, Pine Bluff PD – Squad D Asst. LeaderKristopher Like, Wynne PDWesley Lishbrook, Hot Spring Co. SOJailen Miller, Monticello PDBraxton Morefield, Arkansas State University PDDerick Morrison, Pine Bluff PDMarissa Murphy, Marked Tree PDLayton Newsom, Helena/West Helena PDDavid Owens, Texarkana PDBrady Parker, Hot Springs PDVictoria Pride, Eudora PDCody Richardson, Miller Co. SOMicxsael Rios, Hot Springs PD

Clayton Priborsky, Baxter Co. SO – Squad E LeaderDavid Schrock, Arkansas Tech University PD – Squad E Asst. LeaderCooper Roberts, Arkansas State University PDBlaine Sanders, Magnolia PDRiley Scruggs, Arkansas State University PDCasey Simmering, St. Francis Co. SONicholas Stacey, Garland Co. SOBrent Staggs, Pike Co. SOChastin Stephens, Jefferson Co. SODaniel Stewart, Cleveland Co. SOJoshua Swindle, White Co. SOMatthew Tabory, Camden PD

Caroline Patterson, El Dorado PD – Squad F LeaderGranville Vaughan, Heber Springs PD – Squad F Asst. LeaderAustin Toler, Searcy PDFelix Torres, Texarkana PDGunner Tyler, Lake City PDJesus Valdez, Camden PDHunter Whipple, Mountain Home PDLarry Wilbanks, Russellville PDRyan Williams, Fulton Co. SOJunior Wilson, Russellville PDKatherine Wilson, Brinkley PDTrevor Young, Clinton PD

Article courtesy of the Arkansas State Police