Henry Whitehorn is a candidate for Caddo Sheriff--and he has been for over 9 months now.
Whitehorn was the Shreveport Police Chief for almost three years, from August 2007 until July 2010.
As a candidate Whitehorn has made one of his major campaign platforms that as sheriff "stop-and frisk" will not be allowed by sheriff deputies.
The U.S. Supreme Court in the case Terry vs Ohio ruled that a stop-and-frisk must comply with the Fourth Amendment, meaning that the it cannot be unreasonable. The court defined a reasonable stop-and-frisk as one "in which a reasonably prudent officer is warranted in the circumstances of a given case in believing that his safety or that of others is endangered, he may make a reasonable search for weapons of the persons believed by him to be armed and dangerous."
A former SPD detective that served under Whitehorn chief advises that stop-and-frisk was widely utilized under Whitehorn's administration. This individual advises that this proactive police policing was very successful in taking dangerous people off the streets and reducing crime.
Additionally, this individual noted that "knock and talk" was also frequently utilized to reduce crime. A "knock and talk" is in essence a Terry stop at a residence. A law enforcement officer would knock on a door, advise the person answering it that criminal activity was suspected, and ask permission to search the residence. If permission was granted the search was legal and any contraband including unlawful weapons could be seized.
Whitehorn has emphasized that there was a substantial crime reduction while he was SPD Chief.
However, he has not mentioned that stop-and-frisk and knock-and-talk were instrumental in this law enforcement effort.
So why has Whitehorn flip-flopped on the proactive policing tactic of stop-and-frisk, which presumably includes knock-and-talk?
As a police chief he worked to reduce crime. As a candidate Whitehorn works to win votes, primarily votes of African Americans.
So, if elected Caddo sheriff what will Whitehorn endorse for pro-active law enforcement? The lives of sheriff deputies and Caddo citizens could be greatly impacted by his decision-making.