A state use-of-force report verifies that an Arkansas State Police trooper struck an 18-year-old woman in the face during a traffic stop earlier this month, renewing questions about police tactics and prompting calls for accountability.
What happened during the stop
The incident unfolded Aug. 1 near Manila after Trooper Moisses Arellano stopped Alisa N. Hackett of Osceola for allegedly driving 71 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to the report obtained by NEA Report. Hackett told the trooper her vehicle window was broken and that she was trying to get home.
After consulting another trooper and learning Hackett had been stopped days earlier and found with an open container — an interaction that reportedly resulted in a verbal warning — Arellano decided to arrest her rather than issue a citation, the report states.
The document says Hackett stepped out of her vehicle without incident. When Arellano reached for her left hand, he wrote, she turned toward him, repeatedly asked what she had done and pulled away. He then took her to the ground and acknowledged delivering a closed-fist strike to the left side of her face because she would not roll onto her stomach.
“I will do it again if you do not turn around,”
Dashcam audio captured Hackett pleading and crying out for help. She can be heard asking the trooper to call her mother and telling him he cannot punch her; the trooper responds dismissively and warns he will strike again if she does not comply. Afterward, the trooper drew his Taser and activated the laser but did not fire it, the report says.
Medical exam and charges
Emergency medical services examined Hackett at the scene. Authorities reported they observed no visible injuries, though Hackett complained of pain. The use-of-force paperwork documents the trooper’s justification for the strike as a response to her failing to roll onto her stomach while being taken into custody.
Hackett faces multiple charges listed in the report, including refusal to submit to arrest, underage alcohol possession and speeding. Those criminal allegations have been filed separately from the inquiry into the trooper’s use of force.
| Allegation or item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Alleged speed | 71 mph in a 60 mph zone |
| Use of force | Closed-fist strike to left side of face; Taser laser activated |
| Medical | EMS reported no visible injuries; subject complained of pain |
| Charges | Refusal to submit to arrest, underage alcohol possession, speeding |
Public reaction and oversight
The video of the encounter has been circulated widely online and amplified by national civil rights advocates, raising questions about whether a punch to the face was a reasonable response to an unarmed, noncompliant teenager. Advocates and members of the public have been urged to file complaints with the Arkansas State Police Professional Standards Office.
The case highlights broader tensions over police use-of-force policies and transparency. The department’s own use-of-force report corroborates elements of the footage that many viewers found troubling, notably the trooper’s admission that he struck Hackett while she was being restrained.
What to watch next
Key areas for follow-up include any administrative investigation or disciplinary action by the Arkansas State Police Professional Standards Office and whether prosecutors review the trooper’s conduct for potential criminal charges. Public records requests and statements from the state police about the status of any internal review will be pivotal to understanding how the agency responds.
- Whether the Arkansas State Police open an internal administrative investigation and its findings.
- Whether local prosecutors review the trooper’s actions for possible criminal charges.
- Whether additional video or witness statements are released.
For residents seeking to file complaints, advocates have pointed to the Arkansas State Police Professional Standards Office as the channel to register concerns about officer conduct. The department’s use-of-force reporting in this case has provided a record that community members and oversight officials can use to evaluate the encounter.
The incident underscores how routine traffic stops can escalate and the scrutiny such encounters face when they involve force against young, unarmed civilians. As investigations proceed, the community and law enforcement leaders will be watching for how accountability is pursued and whether policy changes follow.
