Brian A. Johnson is a Senior CLEST Agent at the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. As the Compliance Manager for the Standards office, Brian is responsible for monitoring agency compliance with CLEST rules, establishing an audit compliance schedule, and performing field audits. He is also responsible for issuing Basic through Senior Certifications, analyzing out of state training and non-certified training for acceptance and, issuing Specialized Police, Part Time I, Part Time II and Auxiliary Police Certifications. Brian is a certified instructor and teaches various topics in the Law Enforcement Basic Academy for ALETA and BRTC. He also assists other state and municipal agencies in training. Brian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from UALR and is a U.S. Army veteran.
Brian.A.Johnson@dps.arkansas.gov

Kaleisha Wise is a CLEST Agent at the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Kaleisha is responsible for auditing law enforcement agencies for compliance with CLEST rules, approving basic training courses and in-service training courses for law enforcement agencies, certifying Professional, General and Specialized Instructors and Field Training Officers, and assisting law enforcement agencies, personnel, and the general public with questions concerning CLEST rules. She teaches a course on minimum standard requirements and conducts instructor training at the request of training academies and law enforcement agencies. Kaleisha is a former Criminal Investigator for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office where she was employed for seven years. Kaleisha has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, a Master of Science in Public Safety with specialization in Criminal Justice from Capella University, and a Master of Public Administration from Capella University.
Kaleisha.Wise@dps.arkansas.gov

Barbara Harper Varnell joined the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training in 2023 as the Educational and Instructional Coordinator. She is responsible for curriculum review and development, online course development, and research. As ACADIS manager, she is responsible for establishing and implementing online training, portal management, and staff training on ACADIS software issues and applications. Barbara has a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership with Curriculum Director and Principal Certifications as well as a Master of Business Administration Degree from Harding University and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management Degree from John Brown University. She spent 12 years in public education as a teacher, facilitator/coordinator and principal. Prior to her education career, she worked in banking as a lending officer for 14 years. Barbara and her husband live in rural Jefferson County on their hobby farm. They have three children and two grandchildren.
Barbara.Varnell@dps.arkansas.gov – Phone: (501) 682-3683

Eric Wacaster joined the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training in 2023. He graduated from Columbia Southern University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration Degree and Arkansas State University in 2019 with a Master of Public Administration Degree. Eric went on to attend Syracuse University College of Law where he graduated in 2022. Prior to joining CLEST, Eric was a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the 18th Judicial District East (Garland County). Prior to becoming an attorney, Eric was a police officer with Hot Springs Police Department for over fifteen years. During his career he spent time as a Patrol Officer, Detective, SWAT Officer, SWAT Commander, Training Officer, and Training Sergeant. Eric has over 3,000 hours of law enforcement training and has taught over 1,400 hours as a law enforcement instructor.

As General Counsel for the Commission, Eric is responsible for responding to FOIA requests, reviewing requests for officer decertification, conducting decertification hearings before the Commission, maintaining compliance with state and federal law, and promulgating CLEST rules.
Eric.Wacaster@asp.arkansas.gov

Kreasha Williams joined the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training in 2020. Kreasha graduated in 2005 from Southeast Arkansas College with an Associate Degree in Paralegal Technology. Before joining CLEST, Kreasha worked for fifteen years as a private practice paralegal. As the Legal Services Specialist for the Commission, Kreasha assists in reviewing and preparing decertification cases and promulgating agency rules.
Kreasha.Williams@dps.arkansas.gov