Kristen Beach : Officer for Texarkana Arkansas Police Department
As a young girl, several life experiences drew Kristen Beach towards a life of service. She began her journey in the medical field working for LifeNet, where she developed a true passion for helping people. “Though the job was fulfilling, I always felt I could do more. My firsthand experiences shaped my understanding of the importance of public safety and inspired me to take on a more direct role in ensuring the well-being of those around me,” Kristen says. “This is when I joined the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department. I am currently serving as a Department Patrol Officer/SWAT Medic.”
The day-to-day responsibilities of a police officer can vary depending on factors such as assignment, location, and department policies. However, Kristen has some everyday tasks and duties. First, she patrols assigned areas. “I typically spend a significant portion of my shifts patrolling neighborhoods, business districts, and other areas to deter crime, enforce laws, and ensure public safety,” Kristen says. “I also respond to emergency calls for service, including reports of crimes, accidents, disturbances, and other incidents. I assess the situation, aid as needed, and take appropriate action to address the situation at hand.”
Kristen also helps conduct investigations by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and documenting her findings in a true and honest manner. This may involve analyzing crime scenes, collecting forensic evidence, and collaborating with other law enforcement agencies. In addition, Kristen enforces local, state, and federal laws by issuing citations, making arrests, and apprehending suspects. “I may also conduct traffic stops, enforce traffic laws, and respond to traffic accidents or medical events,” Kristen says. “I also strive to maintain public order and resolve conflicts by mediating disputes, diffusing tense situations, and enforcing laws related to public behavior, such as disorderly conduct or public intoxication.”
In addition, Kristen provides assistance and support to community members by offering information, resources, and referrals to services such as victim support programs, social services, and mental health resources. She documents her activities, observations, and interactions in detailed reports. These reports are used for legal purposes, investigative follow-up, and administrative record-keeping. Furthermore, she participates in ongoing training and professional development to stay updated on laws, procedures, and technology changes. “This may include firearms training, defensive tactics, legal updates, and specialized skills training,” Kristen says. “I also am a medic on our SWAT Team, so I continuously train for major medical responses such as active shooter, hostage rescue, high-risk search warrants, and armed barricades.”
Kristen considers trying out for SWAT and making the team one of her most significant accomplishments. After earning her spot on the team, she was tasked with going to paramedic school to become the SWAT medic. “I passed paramedic school and the licensure exam after being on the team for a year, and I have been the tactile paramedic since 2020,” Kristen says. “While responding to calls that also required medical attention, it took a while to learn how to respond while wearing both hats and balancing both responsibilities. However, the officers on this team would do anything for me, and I would do anything for them. Our motto is ‘The strength of the team is each member. The strength of the member is the team.’”
Through her experiences on the team, Kristen says that her eyes have been opened to the “real” world. “Most citizens have no idea what we, as officers, deal with daily. There are bad people in this world. I can remember being in the ambulance, seeing something horrible and thinking that I had no idea what actually goes on,’” Kristen says. “However, we have a lot of outstanding Officers at TAPD, and we do our best to protect the community from the craziness we live in.”
To serve and protect, Kristen and her team know the value of maintaining a positive relationship between the community and law enforcement. Kristen says Texarkana, Arkansas, has a great community support structure. “Ultimately, our officers’ needs are the community’s needs. We live together, work together, and all try to raise families together. We are not different,” Kristen says. “I have made a promise to my community to stay engaged, be transparent, hold them and myself accountable by setting and holding standards, and I will continue to collaborate with the communities I serve to address the problems that are important to them.”
Overall, the responsibilities of a police officer are diverse and demanding, requiring a combination of law enforcement skills, critical thinking abilities, and interpersonal communication skills to effectively serve and protect the community. On the toughest days, Kristen relies on her faith and family to get her through. She is married to Lt. Kyle Beach, is a bonus mom to four kids, and a dog mom to two Golden Retrievers. “I am blessed to have a family that supports me. My husband understands the job that I do firsthand. Having a husband who works in law enforcement makes communicating much easier. He can tell just by the look on my face if we need to talk or just sit in silence,” Kristen says. “The kids are always understanding if an event is missed due to being stuck at work. I am grateful for the support that I have from my family and friends.”
At the end of the day, Kristen says that every challenge is worth it because she can help people on one of the worst days of their lives. “People do not call for help from the police on their good days,” Kristen says. “It’s very rewarding that we can see people in their worst moments and help calm some of the crazy in their world, even if it is only for a short period.”
Fun Facts
1. My favorite place to eat in Texarkana is Chick-fil-A, and I always order the chicken sandwich.
2. The best advice I’ve ever received as a law enforcement officer is to always treat people respectfully.
3. My hobbies include teaching tumbling at Revolution Dance Center and working out at Fit 5:22 when I’m not at work.
4. My dream vacation would be any beach vacation with my family, dogs, and friends because the beach is my favorite place.
5. If I could give all Texarkana citizens one piece of safety advice, it would be to always lock their doors day and night.