Why Would Anyone Want to be a Shreveport Police Officer?

Why Anyone Would Want to Be a Shreveport Police Officer (Seriously)

Let’s be honest. On the surface, becoming a police officer in Shreveport might not be at the top of everyone’s dream job list. But maybe it should be. When you put the badge, the salary, the risks, and the reward side-by-side with a few other common jobs in town—like teachers or convenience store clerks—the comparison starts to tell a pretty interesting story.

Let’s Talk Paychecks

A check on the city's website shows Shreveport Police Officer in training starts at $2,805.23 per month. Once certified, the pay jumps to $3,428.62 monthly, plus a $600 monthly state supplement. That adds up to about $48,743 per year. Not bad.

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Public school teachers in Shreveport average $46,522 per year. That can go up with more experience or degrees, but that’s the starting ballpark, according to salary.com.

See the List of Highest Paid Bossier City Police Here

According to ZipRecruiter, Convenience store clerks in Louisiana average $37,791 annually, or about $18.17 per hour.

How Safe Is Policing, Really?

Policing is dangerous. That’s not sugar-coated. The Shreveport Police Department has lost officers in the line of duty, with the last reported death in 2019.

Convenience store clerks are also at risk—especially at night. Robberies, threats, and unpredictable customers make it one of the more hazardous retail jobs according to CDC archives.  

Teachers? It’s generally a safe gig. Some stress, sure. But safety-wise, they face fewer daily risks than officers or clerks.

Let’s Talk Lifestyle and Why It Matters

Officers don’t work 9-to-5. Nights, weekends, holidays—yep, they’re all fair game. But there's a bond among officers that’s hard to describe unless you’ve lived it. You go home knowing you made a real difference, even if nobody noticed.

Teachers get summers off, plus weekends and holidays. That’s a lifestyle many folks love. And if you’ve ever seen a kid finally “get it” because of your help, you know how rewarding it can be.

Store clerks have the flexibility of shift work, which some people genuinely prefer. You get to know the regulars, and for some, that daily interaction is a highlight.

So Why Be a Shreveport Police Officer?

Because it’s meaningful. Because it pays well. Because it matters. You may not always hear “thank you,” but you will always know that what you do counts.  Good police officers make a difference.  I know, because I saw it.