Without proper instruction, Arkansas Motor Vehicle Law can appear complicated and
overwhelming. Officers are often shortchanged, and experience difficulty knowing what laws
coincide with the applicable offense. Many police officers struggle with knowledge beyond the
few suggested offenses on the front of a ticket book. Knowing motor vehicle law is crucial in
order to be an effective and proactive police officer. Many of our greatest apprehensions
begin on the foundational principles of motor vehicle law. “Becoming the Arkansas Traffic Law
Expert” is meant to enhance every Arkansas police officer’s knowledge of motor vehicle law,
while also providing an extreme gain in confidence.
Mistakes and embarrassments occur when police officers lack the education to know what
they should be doing. This course is designed to provide clarification in relation to questions
and myths on what officers can and cannot do. The course entails unique and little-known
laws that many officers are unaware of. Additionally, it will provide a comprehensive
understanding of how to utilize the correct laws in all settings. This is to include, but not
limited to, traffic enforcement, pre-textual enforcement, investigations and patrol
functions. In terms of suppression, the first thing defense will argue is the motor vehicle
violation and its proper application. This course is critical in order to ensure officers cases
and stops are built on a solid foundation, rather than a guessing game. Street Cop Training
does not simply check the boxes, we give a career changing experience.
Instructor
Sayer Smith
Corporal Sayer Smith is a police officer with the Bentonville Police Department. Since the beginning of his career, he has developed a passion for proactive police work and the enforcement of impaired driving. Sayer is a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and is an instructor for the SFST and DRE programs. Sayer is an adjunct instructor for the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, and teaches a variety of topics. Sayer serves as a Field Training Officer and is assigned to the SWAT team. Sayer has received numerous law enforcement awards and was named the 2020 Officer of the Year for the Bentonville Police Department. In his capacity as a DRE, Sayer has been recognized as an Expert Witness in court in the areas of drug impairment and drug-impaired driving. Sayer has also been commended by several prosecutors and judges on his testimony in court proceedings.