CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY IS AN EDUCTIONAL TRIUMPH

For some unfortunate reason it has become fashionable to criticize law enforcement officers when they are performing their sworn duty to protect and serve law abiding citizens. The relative ignorance among citizenry, myself included, as to what goes on behind the scenes in the Shreveport Police Department, from the stellar personalities and camaraderie of officers to the new technologies available to ensure citizen safety, certainly plays into this regrettable fashion.

To remedy this fundamental problem, the obstacle of lack of public information about SPD operations and personnel, the outstanding leaders of the Community Oriented Policing Bureau, Captain JJ Silva and Lieutenant Diana Sanchez, at the direction of Chief Smith, have reimagined and implemented a remarkable new crash course for citizens called the Citizens’ Police Academy (CPA). The eight-session class, admirably led by Dr. Michael R. Hicks, gives interested citizens the chance to see inside the Shreveport Police Department and all its Divisions — all without having to meet physical fitness requirements or being arrested!

I had the privilege of participating in the CPA after being invited to apply by Corporal David Karam, my neighborhood Community Liaison Officer, at a Broadmoor Neighborhood Association meeting, and passing a background check (with flying colors I assume!). I was, in fact, a little uncertain I would be allowed to participate because of my public critique of lax trespass enforcement policy last winter, when a rash of fires devastated dozens of vacant houses in my and other neighborhoods. But Officers Silva and Sanchez welcome me with open arms, and even thanked me for being the first elected official to participate in the CPA in twenty years.

In the course, I and fifteen other eager citizens learned so much about the heart and spirit of SPD officers that it is hard to relate. We met lieutenant supervisors who give their subordinates loving nicknames and work every day to ensure they can maintain their enthusiasm and sanity while working perhaps the hardest job in our city. We met exuberant recruiters who work tirelessly to help fill the many vacant positions in the force at present, as well as DARE officers who never rest from educating kids about the risks of deadly drugs. We met officers dedicated particularly to addressing calls related to mental health, and the many local organizations that work alongside them to improve outcomes in “Code 86” (mental health) calls.

We toured the 911 call center, met an amazing K-9 enforcement team, and worked a simulated crime scene to experience the chaos and uncooperativeness officers face every day. We met jailers who keep a sunny disposition over decades of their thankless task, we toured the brand new Mobile Command Center and “Bear Cat” (basically the city tank), met lake patrol, motorcycle patrol, drone patrol, mounted patrol, and more!

The most impressive and hands-on experience was the “ride along” in which we were paired with an officer on patrol. I can personally testify that my officer, Corporal Medlin, deserves a medal for his proactive, effective, and polite approach to policing. After a traffic stop for a burned out tail light in West Cedar Grove, Cpl. Medlin made two arrests, confiscated 222grams of “mojo” (a highly toxic and dangerous synthetic marijuana substitute) and a 9mm with a 25-round magazine — all at 9am on a Tuesday! His perceptive approach and quick action certainly saved multiple lives, by keeping truly deadly drugs from being sold and preventing gun fights when sales go wrong. At the end of the arrest, the detainees thanked him for treating them so kindly, even though they were being carted off to jail! A+ work in my opinion.

I encourage everyone in Shreveport to participate in a future Citizens’ Police Academy, or at least request a “ride along” with a patrol officer. Simply call SPD and ask for info and an application. It takes a whole community to improve and restore public safety, and that starts with a willingness to learn and challenge your assumptions.

After graduating with my cohort of truly passionate community members, I am now a “Shreveport Police Ambassador,” and I can say two things with perfect confidence: 1) SPD officers are human beings, just like you and me, with a sincere dedication to the safety of their neighbors, and 2) SPD patrol officers deserve a pay raise!

John-Paul Young
Caddo Parish Commissioner
for District 4