Arkadelphia, AR – A Malvern officer arrested after having a gun at an Arkadelphia elementary school likely won’t face felony charges of possessing a firearm on a school campus.
He still faces criminal trespassing and obstruction of justice but not having a firearm at a school. Sources explain that’s likely because officers, even off-duty are allowed to carry at a school. In this case Robert Corey Taylor had his service firearm in the car.
Off-duty officers carrying a weapon is a common practice.
Fox 16 asked around and some departments strongly recommend their officers carry day and night, on and off duty.
The officers, who are trained to deal with emergency situations, say they never know when or where something could happen , whether they’re on duty or not.
Officers with the Benton Police Department for example are likely packing heat even out of uniform.
Chief Kirk Lane of the Benton Police Department strongly recommends his officers carry everywhere 24/7.
Spokesperson for the department, Lt. Kevin Russell explained, “These type of incidents happen in a moment and you always want your officers to be prepared for that to take action if necessary to help save lives.”
They’re allowed to carry off duty many places a person with a concealed carry license can’t.
They say keeping up with standards and acting appropriately is a must.
In the Malvern officer’s case a domestic situation leading up to him being on the school campus led to his arrest.
The Arkadelphia Public School District responded to the arrest in a statement sent Thursday (4/18).
“When Mr.Taylor arrived to pick up his child during school dismissal on Monday, he was met by the Prime Time after school program supervisor and school principal, who monitor the entrance during that time. While the Prime Time supervisor was visiting with Mr. Taylor, who is included on his child’s pick-up list, the school principal received notification from Arkadelphia Police that he was not to pick up his child due to a custody issue. The principal asked Mr. Taylor to wait until the police arrived so that he could discuss the issue with them. Mr. Taylor was cooperative and police arrive momentarily, at which time Mr. Taylor was take into custody and escorted from the building.”
He still faces criminal trespassing and obstruction of justice but not having a firearm at a school. Sources explain that’s likely because officers, even off-duty are allowed to carry at a school. In this case Robert Corey Taylor had his service firearm in the car.
Off-duty officers carrying a weapon is a common practice.
Fox 16 asked around and some departments strongly recommend their officers carry day and night, on and off duty.
The officers, who are trained to deal with emergency situations, say they never know when or where something could happen , whether they’re on duty or not.
Officers with the Benton Police Department for example are likely packing heat even out of uniform.
Chief Kirk Lane of the Benton Police Department strongly recommends his officers carry everywhere 24/7.
Spokesperson for the department, Lt. Kevin Russell explained, “These type of incidents happen in a moment and you always want your officers to be prepared for that to take action if necessary to help save lives.”
They’re allowed to carry off duty many places a person with a concealed carry license can’t.
They say keeping up with standards and acting appropriately is a must.
In the Malvern officer’s case a domestic situation leading up to him being on the school campus led to his arrest.
The Arkadelphia Public School District responded to the arrest in a statement sent Thursday (4/18).
“When Mr.Taylor arrived to pick up his child during school dismissal on Monday, he was met by the Prime Time after school program supervisor and school principal, who monitor the entrance during that time. While the Prime Time supervisor was visiting with Mr. Taylor, who is included on his child’s pick-up list, the school principal received notification from Arkadelphia Police that he was not to pick up his child due to a custody issue. The principal asked Mr. Taylor to wait until the police arrived so that he could discuss the issue with them. Mr. Taylor was cooperative and police arrive momentarily, at which time Mr. Taylor was take into custody and escorted from the building.”