Nationwide Manhunt: Ex-Police Chief Fugitively Evades Capture After Conviction for Murder and Rape

A manhunt is in progress in northern Arkansas after a former police chief escaped from prison while disguised in a fake law enforcement uniform. Grant Hardin, 56, previously served as police chief in Gateway, Arkansas, and is now considered extremely dangerous.

Hardin escaped from the Calico Rock North Central Unit around 2:50 p.m. on Sunday. County officials say he was wearing a makeshift law enforcement outfit, which helped him blend in as he slipped through a controlled gate, pushing a cart of utility materials. The Arkansas Department of Corrections confirmed that he wasn’t in his official uniform, and all state-issued gear has been accounted for.

Hardin’s past is troubling. His law enforcement career began in the 1990s, but it was marked by controversy. He was fired multiple times due to excessive force claims and poor performance. In 2017, he shot a local worker named James Appleton in a shocking incident where Appleton was killed at point-blank range.

Interestingly, this incident highlights a growing concern within the justice system about how former officers, especially those with violent backgrounds, can sometimes navigate their way back into society. According to a 2021 study by the National Institute of Justice, about 10% of former law enforcement officers faced criminal charges after leaving service. The study suggests that a combination of stress, trauma, and poor mental health resources can lead to such tragic outcomes.

On social media, reactions to Hardin’s escape are mixed. Some express fear and frustration over public safety, while others focus on systemic issues in law enforcement that allow individuals like Hardin to slip through the cracks. It raises questions about accountability and the need for better training and support for officers.

As authorities continue the search for Hardin, the community watches closely, hoping for a swift resolution before any further violence occurs.

For updates, you can follow local authorities on their Facebook page.

Source link

Fugitives,Prisons and Prisoners,Arkansas,Grant Hardin