New SPD Chief Alan Crump: Officer Safety Is a Priority

Now that Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler has appointed Alan Crump as Shreveport's new police chief, what are his plans for the department going forward?

Chief Crump said during a news conference this afternoon at Government Plaza that he will continue to strive to maintain a level of professionalism and transparency that will preserve the confidence of Shreveport's citizens.

"Since becoming a Shreveport police officer over 24 years ago, I have been a resident of this great city, and it has been my goal to develop enduring community relationships," Crump said. "I have been able to build strong collaborative partnerships in the various positions that I've served, and will continue to build upon those relationships as Chief of Police."

Crump also said he also wants to improve morale within the department by getting input from officers at the upper and lower levels.

"To that end, I plan to establish a strategic planning panel made up of representatives of each facet of the police department, so that we can get input on best practices and strategies to improve our organization and the service we provide to the community," Crump said.

The new chief said officer safety is a big priority, especially given the recent attacks on our law enforcement agents.

"I will encourage, as I believe we do all the time, and even our annual retrainers, our academy instructors are always vigilant about maintaining not only officer integrity, but being safe and being aware in using our skills of survival and tactics to remain aware of what's around us."

Mayor Ollie Tyler said she's confident she's chosen the right person for the job.

"I know Chief Crump from when I was superintendent when he served as a School Resource Officer over at Fair Park High School," she said. "The kind of heart he had for serving, the strength of character, the integrity that he brought to that job, impressed me."

Many are wondering...how did the man who scored the lowest on the chief's test of all the finalists get the job? Tyler said not everyone who scores high on a test is right for a top-level job.

"I can tell you coming from my other life as an educator, I can recall vividly I had a teacher that I hired who actually had one of the highest scores on the National Teachers Exam," she said. "But after nine weeks, she came to my office and said, 'Ms. Tyler...I just can't teach the kids.'"

Tyler said it was Crump's ideas on how to move the department forward and his engagement in his community that helped her make her decision.

Crump's appointment awaits City Council approval. The group's next meeting is December 13.