DHS closing Arkansas Health Center police force

For decades, the Arkansas Health Center, formerly known as the Benton Service Center, has been a place where where the mentally ill can get long-term treatment. It was once affiliated with the Arkansas State Hospital where the majority of patients have a criminal history, but that's no longer the case. Officials at the Department of Human Services say when that changed, so did the responsibilities of the police force employed there.

"For example, their responsibilities include unlocking doors or changing locks on buildings, and those are things you don't need a certified police officer doing. It's very important to the facility, but those could be absorbed by other personnel," said Julie Meyer of Arkansas Behavioral Services.

Some have expressed concern that closing the police department will endanger employees, but Meyer says the data doesn't back up that claim.

"After reviewing the data for the last year, it really hasn't. Obviously it could, but the clientele out there are a lot different, elderly, a little bit more disabled, just a different clientele," said Meyer.

DHS currently spends a lot of money on contract workers to care for patients. While reviewing the budget, DHS discovered dropping the police force could allow them to hire more nurses and rely less on contracts.

"That is just not the most efficient or affordable way to staff that facility, so we'll use a portion of those positions to hire LPN's, and that's what they do out there at Arkansas Health Center. They take care of clients," said Meyer.

The officers last day will be June 30.