Category: Shreveport City Police

How Low Are Our Standards?

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shreveport-police-Blue Ribbonby 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]

leadership-quotes-by-henry-fordCorporal 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

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The Troubling Spectrum of Justice

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Police Respons-Stephenson
KSLA TV– Shreveport, LA

by Marion Marks

On June 25 the Shreveport Police Department conducted one of the most successful large-force actions, centered around the 500 block of Stephenson, without any loss of life and no shots fired by officers. Officers arrived on the scene after several 911 calls reported a loud, angry-sounding suspect firing a weapon at a residence. The suspect who needed medical assistance was spotted by responding officers who set up a perimeter and properly evacuated neighbors before proceeding. (Complete Police Report & 911-call chronology)

This episode made little more than a blip on the news, mostly because no one was killed or wounded (KSLA coverage). Without personal loss or loss of life, the media tends to ignore what transpires. Because of proper planning and training, there wasn’t much more to report. Twenty-four (24) officers responded and did what they were trained to do.

It’s when no shots are fired and little attention is paid that law enforcement does Read more

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9-1-1 Tapes, What’s the Urgency?

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Officer Thomas LeValley
Officer Thomas LaValley

by Daniel  R. Keele

Where does the real problem in the hubbub over the 9-1-1 tapes and body mike audio of Officer Thomas LaValley being released lie? This incident screamed for review of the relevant minutes and motions on the Grover Cannon case, in which he is accused of murdering Shreveport Police Officer Thomas LaValley. This review does not include the transcripts of the proceedings, nor was I in the courtroom at any time. It appears that the defense filed motions, which led to production of the audio/video tapes in question and other materials, including basically every piece of audio or video in the case. That is their responsibility and is in no way unusual.

At one point prior to the preliminary hearing and the grand jury indictment, City Attorney William Bradford and his assistant, Terrell Myles, filed and then appeared on a motion to quash a defense subpoena for case audio and video. The minutes reflect a re-urging of that motion, which meant it was previously denied. It was denied the second time. That’s consistent with Read more

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