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Beebe, Hutchinson endorsed by police unions, campaign in Central Arkansas Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Beebe and Republican opponent Asa Hutchinson both claimed police union endorsements Tuesday, campaigning in Central Arkansas a day after their first debate. Beebe, the state attorney general and former state senator, announced the endorsement from the 2,300 member Arkansas Fraternal Order of Police at a state Capitol news conference at which he announced a proposal to train new and veteran law officers and law enforcement managers on how to combat online child predators. Appearing in Conway at the University of Central Arkansas later Tuesday, Hutchinson announce he had garnered support from Arkansas Law Enforcement Union Local 880, which has 1,000 members statewide. Beebe and Hutchinson face each other in the Nov. 7 general election. The two met Monday night on the Arkansas State University campus in Jonesboro in the first of three televised debates. Both said Tuesday they were pleased with their performance and that the debate showed voters the differences between them. Tuesday at the Capitol, Little Rock Police Sgt. Alan Hamby, president of the Arkansas FOP, said members voted to endorse Beebe earlier this year after hearing speeches from both candidates. "We believe he is the best choice for the next governor of the state of Arkansas," Hamby said, praising the attorney general for successfully suing the manufacturer of faulty bullet vests and for supporting legislation last year that required certain cold medicines containing pseudophedrine, a key ingredient in the making of methamphetamine, to be sold behind the counter. "He's the right choice for law enforcement and the right choice for Arkansas," Hamby said. In his speech, Beebe said as governor he would work with the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy to implement training for new officers regarding Internet and computer-based crimes. He also said he would work with the University of Arkansas' Criminal Justice Institute to include cyber investigation skills in professional development for existing officers. He also would push for more management training on the issue. He estimated his initiatives to improve police investigations of online predators would cost about $100,000. At UCA Tuesday afternoon, Mike Hammett, state president of the International Union of Police Association, said members of the organization overwhelmingly voted to support Hutchinson, a former federal prosecutor, congressman, federal Drug Enforcement Administration director and undersecretary at the federal Department of Homeland Security. Hammett said his union's members supported Hutchinson "because of his history with law enforcement, and he has the same values as our a group." Hutchinson spoke on a wide range of issues, answered questions from an audience of about 100 students and faculty and said his experience made him the right choice for governor. "My national experience will make me a better governor," he said. "I'll run on that record any day." Hutchinson, also discussed the importance of higher education and urged everyone to support a $250 million higher education bond program on the general election ballot. He also said if elected governor he would push for an additional $12 million for the state's Academic Challenge scholarship program. "Perseverance is important, and a willingness to take on the tough challenges," Hutchinson told the crowd. |
