As of Thursday, Troop F of Arkansas State Police, based in Warren, is under new leadership.
Lt. Alex Krneta, assistant commander of Troop F since August, revealed to Warren Lions Club on Wednesday that Capt. Scott Woodward had retired after 36 years of service. Woodward has served as commander of Troop F since April 2018. Rick Neill was commissioned to take over the command as captain.
Top photo: Lt. Alex Krneta of Arkansas State Police was the guest speaker at Wednesday’s Warren Lions Club meeting. Shown, from left, are Vice President Wendy Curry, Krneta and President Neeley Vance. Photo by Tim Kessler.
Troop F consists of nine counties: Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Cleveland, Dallas, Drew, Ouachita and Union. Krneta said the troop has 35 commissioned officers and 10 civilian officers, including 22 state troopers.
He started his career in July 2004 and previously served as assistant commander in Troop E. He and his wife, Robin, reside in Crossett and have been married for 16 years. He currently operates in all nine counties in Troop F.
There are five divisions in ASP: Highway Patrol, Criminal Investigation Division, Crimes Against Children, Administrative Services and the ID Bureau.
There are 12 headquarters in Arkansas. Col. Mike Hagar is the state director, with Lt. Cols. Jason Aaron and Mike Kennedy as assistant directors.
Krneta said ASP was created as the Arkansas State Rangers by the Arkansas General Assembly in 1935, a fact commemorated by 13 buttons on his uniform to acknowledge the first 13 rangers. In 1937, the name was changed to Arkansas State Police. Later, in 1945, the name was changed to the Department of Arkansas State Police.
“It’s challenging to find enough applicants who want to make law enforcement a career,” Krneta admitted, saying a recent class at the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy only had about 30 out of 50 applicants complete the training course.
Also at the meeting, Warren Lions Club gave $300 to sponsor a Boys State or Girls State delegate.