Shreveport Police Officer Placed on Leave for Bringing Gun to Airport

Shreveport Police Chief Willie Shaw has placed a police officer on administrative leave this afternoon following an incident at the Shreveport Regional Airport.   

James Bass, hired by the department in August of 2011, was placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest at the Shreveport Regional Airport. Bass was detained after authorities with the Transportation Security Administration found a handgun in his luggage. Bass, who was off-duty at the time of the incident and apparently preparing to depart Shreveport by plane, was subsequently charged with one count of misdemeanor illegal carrying of weapons by Airport Security officers and issued a summons. The firearm, which was not issued by the police department, was seized as evidence. 

The rules and regulations of the Shreveport Fire and Police Municipal Civil Service Board mandate that, “When an employee is charged with a felony he shall, and if a misdemeanor he may, be immediately relieved of duty and placed on "departmental leave" for up to one week at full pay and with continuing seniority.”