On April 21, 2022 at approximately 3:35 p.m. Arkansas State Police Corporal Dwight
Griffith was involved in a use of force incident. The incident occurred during a traffic
stop on the side of State Highway 25 near Libby Road in Cleburne County. Corporal
Griffin had stopped a vehicle for following too close and improper passing. After
making contact with the driver, Corporal Griffith smelled a strong odor of marijuana
coming from the vehicle and the driver was asked to exit the vehicle for a probable
cause search.
The driver refused to exit the vehicle, stating he knew his rights and did
not consent to a search. Corporal Griffith tried to explain the difference between
consent and probable cause and asked the driver to exit the vehicle again. The driver
again refused to exit the vehicle. Corporal Griffith told the driver he was under arrest
and opened the door to get him to exit the vehicle. As Corporal Griffith attempted to
remove the driver, he tensed up and braced himself inside the vehicle, refusing to exit.
Corporal Griffith was pulling and trying to remove the driver, but he was not able to.
At that point, a citizen saw the struggle and stopped to assist Corporal
Griffith. The citizen ran to aid Corporal Griffith in removing the driver and helped
control him as Corporal Griffith removed the driver and placed him in front of his patrol
unit. Corporal Griffith was then able to put the driver in handcuffs and placed him in
the rear of his patrol unit.
22 авг 2023
