Mike Hagar was sworn in as the Secretary of Public Safety and Director of Arkansas State Police on January 13, 2023. He took the post after serving as captain of Troop A, Highway Patrol Division – the largest field command in the state – and has more than 26 years of service with Arkansas State Police.

As the Troop A Captain, he oversaw a staff of more than 70 commissioned and non-commissioned personnel while coordinating with other law enforcement agencies. He serves on the Arkansas State Police Association’s executive board.

Prior to commanding Troop A, Col. Hagar served on the Executive Protection Detail for more than 14 years – rising in the ranks from trooper to captain. As Captain, he supervised all operations regarding the security of the Governor of Arkansas, immediate family, and the Governor’s Mansion Grounds, coordinated all logistics for the Governor’s domestic and international travel, and evaluated threat assessments. In 2016, he was elected to the Executive Board of the National Governor’s Security Association.

For 10 years, he served concurrently on the ASP SWAT team, serving high-risk arrest/search warrants. He finished his tenure with the rank of Entry Team Leader and Assistant Tactical Commander. He also spent 3 years as a sergeant at the ASP Training Division, coordinating all training responsibilities for Troop School.

Col. Hagar has received multiple official commendations for exceptional service, including a Legislative Citation of Merit for Service Beyond the Call of Duty and the Trooper’s Cross with Valor for actions taken during an armed confrontation with a suspect during a hostage situation.

Col. Hagar received his bachelor’s of arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 1995, he graduated from the Little Rock Police Academy and in 2012, he graduated from Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, Session #332. He currently resides in Conway.

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