News Summary
A man has been arrested in Shreveport after he refused to exit his vehicle during a traffic stop. Officers deployed a Taser after repeated noncompliance with commands. The driver was also cited for marijuana possession, prompting a discussion on legal guidelines for traffic stops. The Shreveport Police highlight relevant legal precedents supporting their actions and state that all use-of-force incidents are reviewed for compliance with protocols.
Shreveport – A man was arrested in Shreveport, Louisiana after he refused to exit a vehicle during a traffic stop on July 19. The Shreveport Police Department officers initiated the stop at the intersection of West 70th Street and Louise Street when they observed suspicious behavior from the vehicle.
The passenger in the vehicle, identified as Ladarius Small, allegedly failed to comply with multiple lawful commands from officers to exit the car. Despite several warnings issued by the police, Small continued to resist. As a result, officers deployed a Taser in order to compel Small to comply with their orders. He was subsequently taken into custody without any further incident and booked on a charge of resisting an officer.
In addition to Small’s arrest, the driver of the vehicle was cited for possession of marijuana. This aspect of the incident has raised questions regarding traffic stops and the legal guidelines that govern the actions of law enforcement.
The Shreveport Police Department has emphasized the legal precedents that support officers’ authority to order individuals out of vehicles during lawful traffic stops. The case of Pennsylvania v. Mimms (1977) allows officers to remove drivers from vehicles for safety reasons, while Maryland v. Wilson (1997) extends this supportive authority to passengers as well. These precedents establish the legal framework within which officers must operate during traffic encounters.
According to Louisiana Revised Statute 14:108, individuals are required to obey lawful orders from officers acting in their official capacity. This law reinforces the expectations for public compliance during police encounters, particularly in situations where safety and security are of paramount concern.
The Shreveport Police Department has stated that all instances of use-of-force are subject to review and are forwarded to the department’s Training Academy for evaluation. This process aims to ensure that all police actions are in alignment with the established protocols and legal standards.
This incident highlights the complexities and challenges faced by law enforcement during traffic stops. Situations where officers must enforce compliance can escalate quickly, making adherence to legal frameworks and proper training essential in maintaining public safety and law enforcement integrity.
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Additional Resources
- KTBS: Man Tased, Arrested After Refusing Commands During Shreveport Traffic Stop
- WV News: Man Tased, Arrested After Refusing Commands During Shreveport Traffic Stop
- KSLA: Shreveport Police Looking for Man Who Fled During Traffic Stop
- Shreveport Times: Were ICE Agents Directly Involved in Traffic Checkpoint?
- KTAL News: Four Arrested During Shreveport Traffic Stop
- Wikipedia: Traffic Stop
- Google Search: Shreveport traffic stop
- Google Scholar: Laws Regarding Traffic Stops
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic
- Google News: Shreveport Police News
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
