Arkansas Secretary of Public Safety resigns for health reasons

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Thursday (July 21) that Jami Cook has resigned as Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Public Safety and Director of the Division on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

In a resignation letter to Hutchinson, Cook said she was stepping down after battling multiple health issues.

“Since the day I met Jami, I have known her to be a passionate public servant who cares deeply about serving the citizens of Arkansas,” Gov. Hutchinson said. “She has spent her professional life supporting those in law enforcement and leading the creation of the new Department of Public Safety. Her efforts have been historical and transformative. I value Jami’s friendship and service.”

Cook was appointed as the Director of the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training on January 14, 2015, by Hutchinson. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Arkansas State Police Program Director, responsible for policies, procedures, training, strategic planning, research and development, and special projects.

In 2009, she was appointed as a Commissioner to the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. She started her law enforcement career as a Newport Police officer in 1994.

Hutchinson appointed Cook to her current role in 2019 when he reorganized state government to shrink the number of cabinet agencies and positions.

Cook served as the first-ever Secretary of this new Department of Public Safety and oversaw the integration of approximately 17 state entities, including the Arkansas State Police, the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, the Arkansas Crime Lab, the Arkansas Crime Information Center, and the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

Cook earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology at Arkansas State University and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock.

“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity that Gov. Hutchinson afforded me to serve the state of Arkansas,” Cook said. “It has been a great privilege to work for this state and we have worked diligently in our mission. I am so very thankful that our paths crossed almost eight years ago.”

Hutchinson said he will announce a successor to Secretary Cook at a later date.