Former constable arrested

PEA RIDGE — On Friday, Jan. 18, Deputy Jason Wood with The Benton County Sheriff’s Office Specialized Operations Division was on patrol in the Bentonville area when he observed a vehicle that was equipped to look like a police vehicle. The vehicle had a badge decal on the door that read Civil Officer and it also had an emergency light bar with blue lights. Wood was suspicious of the vehicle and recorded the tag number. Later that same day, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from a citizen who said they were stopped by someone who they did not believe to be an officer and described a vehicle which matched the one seen in Bentonville by Wood.

The citizen making the complaint stated the man who stopped him had emergency lights and was wearing a jacket with a sewn-on badge. When the citizen asked for identification, the man who stopped him could not produce it and he went back to his vehicle and left.

After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the owner of the vehicle and the subject who was impersonating an officer was Tommy Clowers of Springdale. Clowers was an Arkansas constable until the end of 2012, but his term has expired. Clowers also is a former officer of XNA airport.

On Friday, Jan. 25, BCSO Special Operations Division arrested Tommy Clowers for felony criminal impersonation of a law enforcement officer. With the assistance of the Springdale Police Department, a search warrant was served at his Springdale residence where several items were recovered, including two vehicles with Civil Officer markings and blue law enforcement light bars.

Tommy Clowers is currently being held at The Benton County Jail waiting a bond hearing.

Benton County Sheriff’s Office is looking for assistance from the public.

Any citizen who has beenstopped by this subject should contact Deputy Jason Wood at The Benton County Sheriff’s Office at 271-1008.

Sheriff Kelley Cradduck advises citizens that legitimate officers can produce credentials, if not immediately visible, when asked. If you suspect you have been stopped, or are being signaled to stop, by someone impersonating an officer you should immediately call 911. Dispatchers can quickly determine if the traffic stop is legitimate. Additionally, placing your hazard lights on and slowly proceeding to a police department, or a well-lit public place, such as an open convenience store is reasonable.