Gov.-elect Sanders announces first cabinet appointments for Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management
December 12-18, 2022
By The Daily Record Staff
Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Dec. 5 announced her first cabinet appointments as she prepares to become Arkansas first women governor in early January.
During her first press conference held at the Arkansas State University System Office across from the Capitol, Sanders announced her intention to nominate Captain Mike Hagar as the next secretary of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). During the 15-minute press briefing, the former White House spokeswoman also announced that the current Secretary of Public Safety, A.J. Gary, agreed to remain as the director of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management.
“Captain Mike Hagar is the right person to help me build a safer, stronger Arkansas as the incoming Secretary of Public Safety and Director of State Police,” said Sanders, who also said she should appoint Hagar to serve as director of the Division of Arkansas State Police concurrently with his cabinet post. “As violent crime is on the rise and deadly, illegal drugs are flooding our communities, now more than ever we need a strong, experienced leader who will be tough on crime and I am confident that Captain Hagar is that person.”
Hagar is currently the 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 Troop A Captain, he oversees a staff of more than 70 commissioned and non-commissioned personnel while coordinating with other law enforcement agencies. He also currently serves on the Arkansas State Police Association’s executive board.
“Arkansas has a serious crime problem, and I am ready to get to work on day one addressing it,” Hagar said during the press conference. “Governor-elect Sanders has the right vision to bring safety back to our communities, and I’m honored that she has chosen me to be the next Secretary of Public Safety and leader of the brave men and women who make up the Arkansas State Police.”
Prior to commanding Troop A, Hagar served on the executive protection detail for more than 14 years — rising in the ranks from trooper to captain. In the role, he supervised all operations regarding the security of the Arkansas governor and his immediate family, and the Governor’s Mansion Grounds. He also 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.
Hagar, a Conway resident, received his Bachelor of Arts 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.
Under Sanders, Gary is the first Hutchinson appointee to remain with the Sanders’ administration. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who is term limited out of office at the end of this year, appointed Gary to his current post secretary of the state DPS on Aug. 3. Gary’s administrative responsibilities at DPS include overseeing Arkansas’ public safety agencies, including the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards & Training, State Police, Division of Emergency Management, Crime Information Center, and state Crime Lab. The Crime Victims Reparations Board and Fire Prevention Commission are also under his purview.
Gary will also serve concurrently as director of the DPS Secretary, director of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM), and State Homeland Security Advisor — each by governor’s appointment. He serves on several other boards, including Arkansas Safe Schools, Infrastructure Planning Advisory Committee, Governor’s Cyber Advisory Council, and the Arkansas Governor’s Earthquake Advisory.
“I’m looking forward to joining the Sanders Administration and continue to ensure that our state is always prepared for the next disaster or emergency,” Gary said. “The men and women who make up ADEM are the best, and I am excited to continuing leading this critical division.”
Gary is a retired police chief, serving over 28 years with the Conway Police Department. During a break in his law enforcement career, he was the chief security administrator for Air Transport International LLC. In this capacity, he was responsible for all international and domestic security related issues involving the airline, including flight and cabin crew security training, facility security, and federal regulatory compliance.
The Conway native has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and a Master of Public Administration. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and attended the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s Executive Leadership Program.
Over the past week, the Republican governor-elect has announced several key appointments to her senior gubernatorial staff. The past White House spokeswoman for former President Donald Trump easily won the Nov. 8 election for governor over Democrat Chris Jones.
Sanders’ inauguration ceremonies kick off on Saturday, Jan. 7 with an event dubbed “Freedom Fest.” Sanders will be sworn in as the state’s first female governor on Jan. 10, one day after the convening of the 94th General Assembly.
Photo Captions:
1. Gov.-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders (left) announced the first two members of her cabinet on Dec. 5 during a press conference at the Arkansas State University System Office. Sanders said she would nominate State Trooper Captain Mike Hagar (middle) as the next secretary of the Department of Public Safety. Sanders also said that the current Public Safety Secretary A.J. Gary has agreed to remain the director of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management.
2. Captain Mike Hagar
3. A.J. Gary
