News Summary
The Shreveport Police Department has welcomed its largest recruit class since the pandemic began, with 18 new trainees starting their intensive training program. This initiative aims to enhance public safety and foster community trust amidst rising crime. With nearly 200 applications received, the new recruits reflect a commitment to community-oriented policing. However, the program may see attrition as physical demands take effect. Local leaders emphasize the importance of accountability and introduce new ordinances addressing community concerns, including illegal squatting.
Shreveport – The Shreveport Police Department has welcomed its largest recruit class since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a significant step in community efforts to enhance public safety amidst rising crime concerns. On July 25, 2025, Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith addressed a group of 18 new trainees at the Shreveport Police Regional Training Academy as they embarked on their 16-week training program. This influx comes in response to the department’s commitment to addressing local crime and fostering trust between law enforcement and the community.
With nearly 200 applications received for the recent recruit class, the selection process was highly competitive, narrowing down to 44 candidates before ultimately selecting 18. This recruit class, designated as the 94th in the Shreveport Police Department’s history, is particularly noteworthy due to a substantial increase in the number of recruits; previous classes had consisted of only four to twelve trainees. Chief Smith emphasized the imperative of adopting a “guardian mentality” as essential for new officers, underscoring the philosophical shift towards community-oriented policing.
Despite promising beginnings, it is anticipated that the recruit group may shrink further as the physical demands of the training program take effect. The department’s spokesman, Chris Bordelon, expressed a recognition of the “shock factor” that recruits often face in initial training, with historical data indicating that only about 60% of recruits typically complete their training to become sworn officers.
Recruits have expressed a diverse range of motivations for joining the police force, including admiration for law enforcement, a desire to enhance community safety, prior experience in correctional facilities, and backgrounds in military service. The community’s support for these recruits was echoed by Mayor Tom Arceneaux, who presented his gratitude and confidence in their motivation and commitment to the role.
As of July 25, 2025, the Shreveport Police Department comprises over 430 officers, with a fully staffed department aiming for 581. The city’s commitment to increasing its police personnel coincides with ongoing public discourse regarding professionalism among officers, particularly in light of a recent incident involving officers at a bikini car wash that raised local concerns.
Chief Smith and Mayor Arceneaux have committed to maintaining accountability and transparency in police conduct, ensuring that community trust beyond training is upheld. In line with this objective, the city proposes a new ordinance aimed at combating the issue of illegal squatting—an increasing concern that has led to over 300 related calls being received by the SPD from January 2024 to mid-March 2025. A staggering 40% of these incidents occurred in the Highland neighborhood, highlighting areas in need of urgent attention and intervention.
The ordinance is designed not only to facilitate law enforcement actions against squatters but also to impose accountability on property owners for maintaining their properties. Accompanying this initiative, the city is launching Operation A.S.K. B.L.U.E. (Addressing Squatters Knowledgeably — Bold Legal Unified Efforts), a coordinated approach aimed at effectively dealing with the issues tied to squatting such as unauthorized entry, burglary, trespassing, drug activity, and armed threats.
The community is encouraged to assist in addressing these pressing issues by reporting any suspected squatters to the police department or through the Port City 311 system. These initiatives reflect efforts by the Shreveport Police Department and city leadership to proactively engage with residents, creating a safer and more accountable environment for all.
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate
- KTBS
- Shreveport Times
- The Center Square
- Google Search: Shreveport Police Department
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.
