Recognizing Officer Hannah Barber
- searcylivingads
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
By Jennifer Webb
Photos by Searcy Living Photography
Hannah Barber knew she wanted to be a police officer from an early age. She grew up watching her dad, who started in the Air Force as a military police officer before serving as an Arkansas State Trooper, a Lonoke County Deputy, an assistant chief at Beebe, and on the Arkansas Drug Task Force.
“I grew up in a police department. It just came as second nature; it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
- Officer Hannah Barber, Searcy Police Department
When she turned 20, she applied to all the local departments, and Searcy promptly called her back. They needed officers, and female officers in particular. She started at the police academy in Camden, but it was shut down due to COVID, so she finished her training at Central Academy, near Camp Robinson. She turned 21 while in the academy.
She hit the streets as a patrol officer, and it was every bit the adrenaline rush she thought it would be. No two days were the same.
But as time went on and motherhood changed her personal life, what had once been exciting started to feel more nerve-wracking. She always expected the worst, but it made the good experiences even more memorable.
“The best thing about patrol is the love and support of the community. They give back to us and do all they can to make sure we are taken care of and help when needed. Having a good community really helps and makes the job worthwhile.”
- Officer Hannah Barber, Searcy Police Department
She went back on patrol for two months after returning from FMLA leave after she and her husband, Darrell, added their son, Brantley, to the family, but it wasn’t the same. She felt burnt out. She had three other kids at home—Eli, Olivia, and a stepdaughter Caia.
Chief Hernandez realized she needed a change . . . and he gave her one. She reluctantly agreed to give a new position a trial run. Westside Elementary needed a new SRO (School Resource Officer), and she was the person for the job.
She had initially been intimidated by the position. How would she ever memorize all the kids’ names? How would she build connections with them? They had loved Detective Boedecker, their previous SRO, who had sustained an injury. Could she gain their trust and build connections?
It was a total change of pace and environment. The kids welcomed her with open arms (sometimes literally—with many hugs from little arms). By the end of the first week, she was hooked. The staff was amazing and very supportive of her coming. Perhaps best of all was that she was able to have her two oldest kids, Eli and Olivia, with her on the car rides to and from school. They all started the same week.
“I get a lot of hugs and fist bumps. They get lots of stickers, and I keep candy in my office. It’s been great to get to watch my kids make new friends, and to have them hang out in my office after school.”
- Officer Hannah Barber, Searcy Police Department, SRO for Westside Elementary School
When school is not in session, Officer Hannah returns to patrolling the streets of Searcy. She recently completed continuing education for the D.A.R.E. program, aimed at helping kids make good choices. She looks forward to implementing the program at her school and perhaps at the middle school next year.
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