Sergeant Donald Wray of the Southern Arkansas University System Police Department has earned the Senior Law Enforcement Certificate from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.  The honor is given to Law Enforcement Officers within the state who meets the requirements set forth by the commission.

Sergeant Wray attained this certificate by possessing the Advanced Certificate, having a Master’s Degree, having completed a minimum of two-hundred and forty hours of training, and a minimum of six years’ experience.  The goal of these Commission certifications is to ensure continued proficiency for all public safety employees.

Southern Arkansas University Chief of Police Eric S. Plummer has earned the distinction of Senior Chief of Police from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.  The top honor is given to police chiefs within the state who meet the requirements set forth by the commission.  Candidates for the certification must meet a stringent set of education and experience requirements in order to qualify for the initial certification, which is valid for two years and must be reapplied for to be eligible to maintain the certification.

According to the commission’s Website, to be eligible to earn the certification the chief must: hold the senior law enforcement certification, possess a minimum of five years experience as a police chief and successfully complete a police supervision or management course of instruction of four weeks or more duration.  The goal of the commission is to ensure competency within the law enforcement community by providing up-to-date training for all employees.

Between the hours of 10:30 p.m. on November 2, 2011, and 6:30 a.m. on November 3, 2011, 5 horses, a horse trailer and riding equipment were stolen from the Mulerider Stables on the campus of Southern Arkansas University located in Magnolia, Arkansas.

The suspect vehicle is reported to be a dark colored Ford truck.  The horses stolen were described as follows:

1. American Quarter Horse, 16 years of age, gelding, black in color, bearing a rocking “M” brand on its left hind quarter.
2. American Quarter Horse, 7 years of age, female, gray in color.
3. Quarter Horse, 14 years of age, female, buckskin in color.
4. Quarter Horse, 15 years of age, gelding, Sorrell in color, bearing a rocking “V” brand on its left front quarter, as well as a “K” brand on its right hind quarter.
5. Quarter Horse, 12 years of age, female, black in color, bearing a circle “M” brand on its left hind quarter.

The horse trailer stolen is a 2003 Featherlite, silver in color, bearing Georgia License Plate TL7W102 and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 4FGL020223C058456.

Various riding equipment was also stolen.

If anyone has any information regarding the theft please contact the Southern Arkansas University Police Department at 870-235-4100.

The Southern Arkansas University Police Department along with the Columbia County Local Emergency Planning Committee and area emergency response agencies will be conducting an annual county-wide emergency drill near the campus of Southern Arkansas University on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, beginning at approximately 4:00 p.m.  Classes will not be affected by this drill; however, the drill activities will involve movement of emergency equipment and personnel through Magnolia as well as concentrated activities and simulations near the SAU campus.

Southern Arkansas University and Columbia County emergency responders conduct drills periodically to assess plans, personnel and equipment designated to respond for the community in a disaster and/or terrorist situation.

In keeping with routine drill policy, details of the simulations will not be released ahead of time; however, the public should not be alarmed at emergency vehicle and radio traffic during the drill.  During the drill the University will test all mass notification systems and emergency plans.

Any questions should be directed to Chief Eric Plummer at (870) 235-4372.

The National Weather Service is pleased to announce that Southern Arkansas University (SAU) has met all of the criteria and qualifications required to be recognized as a StormReady University.  This recognition means that Southern Arkansas University is StormReady through 2014 and is the first University in Arkansas to be declared StormReady.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport, Southern Arkansas University Police and Administration and the Columbia County Office of Emergency Management will conduct a formal ceremony on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 at 10:15am in the lobby of the new Science Center on campus, recognizing Southern Arkansas University as StormReady.

Being a StormReady University means SAU has taken the initiative to ensure its faculty, students, and campus infrastructure are prepared to deal with deadly and destructive severe weather events.  It has done this by meeting established National Weather Service Criteria for the reception and dissemination of emergency weather information and preparedness activities.  Armando L. Garza, Meteorologist in Charge of the Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport stated that: “Southern Arkansas University is showing its leadership role by completely fulfilling the requirements established specifically for universities, and is making history by being recognized as the first higher learning StormReady institution in Arkansas.”

Keith Stellman, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the Shreveport Weather Forecast Office added that:  “This certification represents a partnership between Southern Arkansas University and the National Weather Service to provide the best service possible to the SAU community.  I extend my congratulations to the SAU leadership for making this StormReady designation a reality!”

The National Weather Service would also like to recognize the work by Eric Plummer (Chief of Police at SAU), Brad Stout with Campus Police, Sergeant Donald Wray with Campus Police, and Larry Taylor with Columbia County Emergency Management.  These individuals were extremely helpful throughout the preparations which resulted in the certification and recognition of Southern Arkansas University as a StormReady institution.

For additional information contact Keith Stellman (318-636-3669 or Keith.Stellman@noaa.gov) or Armando Garza (318-636-3669 or Armando.Garza@noaa.gov)