Alvin Oliver hosts the "Keeping It Real Radio Podcast/Broadcast,” which has hard-hitting interviews with local citizens.
On Tuesday, Aug. 1, Henry Whitehorn, candidate for Caddo sheriff, was his guest.
Here is a recap of the wide-ranging Whitehorn interview:
1. Whitehorn emphasized his 40-plus years’ experience in law enforcement as Shreveport police chief, U.S. Marshal and Louisiana State Police superintendent as his primary qualification for the position of sheriff.
2. He stated that crime during his term as SPD chief was at a 30-year low. Whitehorn also stated that SPD was fully staffed with police officers when he left that position.
3. Whitehorn noted that Caddo Parish has one of the highest incarceration population ratios in the state, which has the highest incarceration ratio in the nation.
4. He said law enforcement cannot arrest its way out of the crime problem, which will require a coordinated community effort to reduce crime.
5. Whitehorn promised to be the sheriff for all of the parish, not just the unincorporated areas of the parish.
6. He rebutted the comments of announced candidate John Nickelson that the job of the sheriff was primarily administrative, like the CAO of the city.
7. Whitehorn said he knows how to deal with crime and knows how to work with other agencies to combat crime -- the Shreveport Police Department, the Shreveport City Marshal, the Louisiana State Police and local federal law enforcement agencies.
8. He stated that his extensive law enforcement experience, as well as his experience as the Shreveport CAO, sets him apart from Nickelson and Eric Hatfield, who has also announced for sheriff.
9. Whitehorn acknowledged that local law enforcement agencies have unfilled positions. He said that if elected he would evaluate both recruitment efforts and retention programs of the sheriff's office.
10. He is a big believer in the force multiplier effect of having personnel from various agencies dedicated to special law enforcement efforts. As an example, Whitethorn stated that as sheriff he would ask SPD for 10 officers, City Marshal for five, LSP 10, along with 10 from the sheriff's staff to form a 35-person special unit. (He gave his numbers as examples only.)
11. Whitehorn said that the Real Time Crime Center is not being fully utilized. He stated that the Caddo sheriff was not invested in this effort and that as sheriff he would help support and participate in the RTCC.
12. He stated that law enforcement often just has the "warrior" mindset, which is often needed when dealing with criminals. He said that a 21st century policing model required that law enforcement also adopt the "guardian" mindset as the first priority.
13. Whitehorn said that when he became SPD chief, many officers left the department. He expected the same if elected sheriff, although he emphasized that he would make an effort to keep all the deputies. He said he did not intend to fire any employees when taking office, and he would conduct a full evaluation of employees and personnel policies.
14. He said that criticism of the city's change in the health insurance provider was unjustified and that the adoption of this provider by the Arceneaux administration was vindication of his efforts in deciding the health insurance issue.
15. Whitehorn said that the sheriff’s $60 million surplus should be reviewed with the goal of increasing deputy pay.
16. He said he would work closely with SPD Chief Smith and provide needed assistance without any conditions that hindered cooperation of the agencies.
17. Whitehorn, who has been endorsed by Caddo DA James Stewart, said he would work closely with the DA and not against the DA.
18. In conclusion, he said as sheriff he would follow and implement the "three Rs": Do the right thing, for the right reason, at the right time.
Oliver's podcast/radio cast is aired on Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. at Alvin R .Oliver Facebook.