Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins has officially announced his bid for re-election, pledging to continue building on the reforms, partnerships and public safety initiatives he’s led since first taking office in 2018.
“Every day as Sheriff, I’ve seen the difference reform and strong partnerships can make in people’s lives,” Higgins said. “Together, we’ve made great progress in protecting families, improving transparency, and strengthening trust between law enforcement and our community. But there is still more work to be done.”
Since becoming Sheriff, Higgins has emphasized modernizing policies and rebuilding community relationships. Under his leadership, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office became the first in Arkansas to implement “no chokehold” and “duty to intervene” policies, expand crisis intervention training, and require body cameras for both patrol and detention officers.
Higgins has also focused on creating programs that bridge gaps between law enforcement and the community, such as “Supper with the Sheriff,” the CSI Re-Entry Program, and partnerships with local nonprofits to provide food and resources for families in need.
His innovative approach to criminal justice reform has attracted national attention, including a feature in a Netflix documentary that highlighted his efforts to reduce recidivism and restore dignity to detainees. He’s received multiple awards for leadership and has spoken at conferences across the country about law enforcement reform and community engagement.
A 35-year veteran of law enforcement, Higgins previously served as Assistant Chief of Police for the Little Rock Police Department before being elected Sheriff. A Little Rock native, he graduated from Catholic High School and earned both a bachelor’s degree in government and business and a master’s in executive leadership and counseling from Liberty University.
Higgins and his wife, Caron, have been married for 30 years and are members of St. Mark Baptist Church. The couple has two daughters.
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