SPD could save thousands by hiring Bossier officers

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The city of Shreveport hopes to save hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars by hiring fully trained officers from a nearby city. As NBC 6 reporter Karen Hopkins found, it could help prevent deadly crimes.

Cora Savannah's husband of nearly 30 years was stabbed to death about 4 years ago. “We went to school together, grew up together.” But in an instant, he was gone. “The pain you can't describe. I couldn't eat, sleep, my heart was so empty. I was thinking this is a dream.

But now, she's facing reality as an advocate against crime.
Savannah says Shreveport needs more officers on the streets. It could save lives. “It could be your family. We need more officers walking the streets, knocking on doors and saying we are here to serve and protect."

Spd says it’s a challenge keeping officers, due to retirement and people quitting. By February, it will have more than 20 open officer positions to fill.

But Spd says it could hire a handful of officer right away, from across the river, if Bossier City decides to lay off 40 police officers. “I feel for anyone in that situation. I have never been laid off but it's got to be a horrible feeling." Spd Asst. Chief Wayne Smith says.

Well here's the good news. Spd says it hopes to give jobs to as many officers as possible. If the department hires 20 Bossier officers, it would save Shreveport more than $130,000 in training.

Bossier City is training 5 new recruits right now. If the budget cuts pass, it will not hire the officers. Bossier has spent more than $101,000 in training and benefits for those five recruits.