by Marion Marks
Only three candidates Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler named among the seven finalists for the post of Police Chief have any advanced education degrees. The mayor’s educational and career background should cause this shortcoming to be alarming. In a time of advanced digital technology available locally and cyber crimes in our own area a broader experience and background in leadership should be a necessity. And, it is very sad that beyond and MBA from Centenary College, the next most senior and “academic” credential is from our local institution that I had to research online to determine their accreditation: Inter-Baptist Theological Seminary, Inc. also found in Dunn & Bradstreet as an “unverified entity.”.
The finalist list includes Interim Police Chief Alan Crump, SPD Sgt. Janice Dailey, SPD Sgt. Rodney Horton, SPD Lt. Greg Jones, Caddo Sheriff’s Office Capt. Darwin Jones, SPD Cpl. Benjamin Raymond, and Assistant Shreveport Chief of Police Wayne Smith. The chief is expected to named prior to the end of the month based upon final interviews and other considerations that are generally at the discretion of the mayor. [LINKS TO APPLICATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS]
Corporal Raymond scored the highest among the original 19 applicants who took the civil service exam, 95%. Interim chief Alan Crump scored among the lowest. Shreveport has regularly been noted as Read more