Arkansas sets policies for troopers at sports events

Capt. Lance King runs onto the field with former Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino prior to a game in 2008. Arkansas State Police set new policies on Friday for troopers serving at sporting events.

— Arkansas State Police has unveiled its first policy for troopers who provide security to college football teams.

The policy was released Friday in response to a trooper’s assisting former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino after a motorcycle crash last April and the trooper’s taking gifts from the Razorbacks’ athletic program.

Capt. Jeffrey Lance King was cited by the state Ethics Commission after he asked for a review.

The policy was distributed to officers on Friday.

Under the policy, troopers must follow state ethics laws regarding gifts and must be on-duty to provide protection. Travel expenses must be paid by the school, and state cars also cannot travel out of state.