By: Cayden Hartman
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — An Arkansas House of Representatives committee voted down house bill 1342 also known as the Marshallese Enforcement Act.
The legislation proposed by District 89 Rep. Megan Godfrey sought to allow Marshallese people in Arkansas through the Compact of Free Association to serve as police officers.
In a tweet Godfrey said that the before failing the bill garnered support from different figures from around the state.
Godfrey wanted the bill to help increase diversity in policing state-wide.
“In a diverse community its so important to know that the people who are there to protect and to serve you, your family and your community can share a lived experience with you. They can reflect your language, your culture, your background and your story,” Godfrey said.
The city of Springdale, Which is Godfrey’s district, features one of the larger populations of Marshallese people outside the Marshall Islands. According to the United States Census Bureau 7% of Springdale’s population is made up of native Hawaiian or other pacific Islanders.
Lt. Jeff Taylor, public information officer at the Springdale Police Department thinks that this could’ve been a big help to the department.
“Having more officers that can speak the language or know the culture will be nothing but a benefit to us,” Taylor said.
Springdale employs two Marshallese American police officers.