Shreveport Man Arrested for Refusing to Comply With Traffic Stop

On Saturday, Shreveport Police Officers tried conducted a traffic stop near West 70th Street and Louise Street.

During the stop, the man in the passenger seat refused to comply with SPD Officers to exit the car. After the man, identified as Ladarius Small, refused to comply with Officers multiple times, a taser was used to get him to comply. Small was arrested and taken to jail, and charged with Resisting an Officer.

SPD wants to remind the public on the laws and expectations for legal traffic stops. The US Supreme Court says that Officers have the authority to order you out of a car during a legal traffic stop.

· Pennsylvania v. Mimms (1977): Officers may order drivers out of the vehicle for    safety reasons.

· Maryland v. Wilson (1997): This authority also extends to passengers.

The driver was cited for possession of marijuana. Like all use of force incidents, this case will be reviewed, and used in the SPD training academy.

From SPD:

"Failure to comply with these lawful orders can result in arrest under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:108, which prohibits resisting an officer and requires individuals to obey commands given by law enforcement acting in their official capacity.

We hope future encounters can be resolved peacefully through cooperation and understanding. Ensuring everyone’s safety—both officers and community members—depends on mutual respect and lawful compliance."