Shreveport Police Seek Urgent Upgrades for Officer Safety Gear

What can Caddo Parish do to help the Shreveport Police Department? One proposal suggested earlier this month was to spend nearly $3 million dollars to buy 40 new police cars. But that plan was put on hold until Police Chief Wayne Smith could put together a list of urgent needs.

KEEL News has obtained the list the Chief has sent to Mayor Tom Arceneaux.

We are told the Chief is asking for 23 new police cars that will cost about $70 thousand dollars apiece. He's also asking for body armor. This equipment has ballistic plates that can help save the lives of officers. The vest they currently use can be pierced by automatic bullets. The department wants to purchase 400 body armor plates that cost about $600 dollars each.

The Chief's list also includes ballistic shields that would be placed at all substations. SPD wants to buy at least 8 shields. KEEL has learned a shield was used on Sunday in approaching the mass shooter after he was shot.

The Chief's list also includes a new boat for Cross Lake patrol. He also wants to buy a ROOK armored vehicle that can be used to get into small areas where a Bear Cat can not go. The ROOK costs $721,000 dollars. Mayor Tom Arceneaux says the ROOK is the Chief's top priority.

What Will These Items Cost and the Ranking of the Priorities