Mayor Names Interim Shreveport Police Chief

Mayor Ollie Tyler has named an interim police chief to lead the department once Chief Willie Shaw and Assistant Chief Duane Huddleston retire next week.

He's Lt. Alan Crump, who's been with the department for 24 years. He's initially been appointed for 90 days while the search for a permanent chief is underway.

"Lt. Crump comes from the Community Oriented Policing Bureau and he understands the importance of positive relationships between the police and the community, and the stability they provide to our neighborhoods," Mayor Tyler said. "He is a man of extraordinary character, clear leadership ability, commitment, and dedication in serving the citizens of Shreveport. I am certain Lt. Crump is the person most suited to lead our Police Department during this transitional period."

Lt. Crump told the media this morning that his first priority is safety, and the concern for our officers and citizens of Shreveport.

"All we can do is continue to be vigilant, continue to be visible, continue to stress safety to our officers, as well as to our citizens," Crump said. "So, again, it's a collaborative effort to make safety a priority."

Crump graduated from the Police Academy in 1992, and worked as a patrol officer until 1998, when he was assigned as a school resource officer. From there, he became a certified D.A.R.E. instructor, then was promoted to sergeant and transferred to the Community Oriented Policing Bureau. He served as supervisor of the D.A.R.E. and School Resource Officer Unit from 2012 until his promotion to lieutenant in 2016.

Chief Shaw applauds Mayor Tyler's decision, and said Crump is the right man to lead the department during this transition period.

"I think that Lieutenant Crump has the right temperament, the wherewithall to deal with the situation that we find ourselves in today as law enforcement," Shaw said. "He is a calm person, a rational person, a person that's gonna see things through...a person who cares about people, puts people first."

Shaw also thanked the city and the mayor for allowing him to serve as chief.

"Thank you, all of the members of my big family at the Shreveport Police Department for dealing with me for the past six years. I know it seems like it's been a long time for you, but it's even longer for me," he said. "And I plan on retiring and doing absolutely nothing."

The search for a permanent chief is now underway. Applications are being taken through midnight Friday, August 19. Mayor Tyler said she's expecting to have new police department leader in place by the end of the year. Lt. Crump said he's not considering applying for the permanent position at this time.