On May 31, Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins held an open forum to discuss citizen concerns that reached the boiling point after the death of Anthony Childs. At the meeting, Perkins was presented a 10 point memorandum titled “Improving Our City After the Killing of Anthony Childs” from the newly formed Critical Thinking Coalition.

Perkins responded timely. His responses reflected current law, practical realities, and existing city programs.

1. Establishment of a police citizens review board will require action by the state legislature, not the mayor or the city council. Citizen’s complaints can be filed with the Shreveport Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Review Board.
2. The city is ethically prohibited from providing legal advice to citizens at large. Thus the request for a Citizen Education Program to educate citizens on Shreveport’s governmental process and citizens’ rights after law enforcement detainment is inappropriate.
3. The Coalition’s request for termination of Proactive Policing Techniques utilized to “circumvent citizen’s constitutional rights” may have been somewhat satisfied by the council’s repeal of the sagging pants ordinance on June 11. The mayor advised that “proactive policing methods” are attempts to prevent crime before it occurs, versus reactive policing. He cited community engagement as one example.
4. Another request was that the Shreveport police use De-escalation Techniques. The Mayor noted that all police officers have an additional 4 hour training on de-escalation annually.
5. The Coalition complained about the actions/inaction of the Caddo Coroner. Perkins reminded the group that the Coroner’s Office is a separate elected office outside the control of the mayor and/or the city council.
6. The Coalition requested a “real” Fair Share Program that would “close the loopholes that allow misuse and abuse.” Perkins advised the group that his new Fair Share Coordinator Quinn Eubanks is conducting a review of this program with the goal of having an amended program by year end.
7. A request was made to hire a new person to conduct police officer psych evaluations. The mayor’s response noted that in 2018 a new company was retained for these evaluations. He noted that Dr. Mark Vigen was still used for fitness of service exams.
8. The Coalition requested police testing for “drugs, steroids, and alcohol “ after a citizen shooting or hospitalization after a police encounter. The mayor reminded the Coalition that any officer who discharges his weapon outside of firing range practice is sent for a drug screen and alcohol test. This testing is also conducted after an auto crash, injury on duty, during random screening and upon supervisor direction.
9. The Coalition requested citizen selected persons to serve as a Citizen Community Liaisons as part of the SPD Community Liaison program. Perkins advised that there are 4 civilian neighborhood Assistance Team (NAT) Coordinators who work in the Community Oriented Policing Bureau
10. Lastly, the Coalition requested a “new and up to date” Cultural Diversity Program taught at the Police Academy. The mayor noted that the courses on cultural diversity taught at the Academy are mandated by the Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training and can only be changed by the state agency. He noted that the curriculum was updated in 2015.

The mayor thanked the collation for being engaged citizens. He noted that Shreveport is a culturally diverse city and that police and citizens are better served with an open discussion on both police strategies and citizen responses.