18 AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: OCTOBER 2017 Above: This is something like the reaction of the wealthy owners when they find out people were stupid enough to give them millions of tax dollars to build yet another stadium. by Brianna Dunn T he Shreveport Po- lice Officer’s Asso- ciation in Lousiana is strongly oppos- ing a “G” league basket- ball arena that will end up costing the city over $140 million. After years and years of asking for a much-needed and well-deserved pay raise, the money approved for the arena is infuriating, says Shreveport POA President Michael Carter. “We always hear the same thing: We don’t have any money, stop asking,” he said. “Then one day it turns into, well, we still don’t have any money, but here’s a basketball arena that the city will never see a return on.” A pay raise for Shreve- port cops has been shot down over and over again. It was vetoed under former mayor Cedric Glover in 2008, voted down by city council members in 2012, and deliberately ignored since February of 2015 by Mayor Ollie Tyler. The recent 5 to 2 City Council vote approving the stadium and stiffing the cops showed once again that the public’s safety is not the priority of the city. “What has become pain- fully clear is that people who run the City of Shreveport have no respect for the work we do, or the sacrifices we make every single day,” Carter said. “We always believed they didn’t respect us, but now it is completely certain.” Carter noted that in just one week Shreveport had two shootings and four ho- micides – serious crime the city is choosing to ignore. “I mean, this is public information. Shooting af- ter shooting, robbery after robbery. In order to ignore this, you have to literally detach yourself from real- ity,” Carter said. “If the city can’t spend money on public safety, why are they spending money at all? “Shreveport officers are fed up and have completely lost faith in city leadership. “They are underpaid and overworked, and the plan to spend millions on a basket- ball stadium is a slap in the face. “As a union leader, I am so sick of seeing my members suffer,” he said. “I won’t tol- erate this. If this arena goes up, I am telling you, heads will roll. Imagine if the city gave us that money, you wouldn’t even recognize the department. Shreveport would be a totally different place,” Carter said, the frus- tration clear in his voice. Brianna Dunn is a staff reporter for American Police Beat. . No raises for cops but $140,000,000 for a new stadium And odds are no sweet OT details either – they’ll probably be using private security guards – not officers Shreveport Police Officer’s Association President Mi- chael Carter. A college football or basketball coach is the highest paid public employee in 39 of the 50 states. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan ($9,004,000) Sounds about right.... www.bostonleather.com Chemical Holders Baton Holders Handcuff Cases Badge Holders • BOSTON LEATHER SELLS TO DEALERS ONLY • Fine Leather Belts and Accessories boston Crafted with Pride In the USA 1801 Eastwood Drive Sterling, IL 61081 Phone (800) 733-1492 Fax (800) 856-1650 1 3/4” Garrison Belt 6505 1 1/2” Off Duty Belt 6582 1 1/4” Off Duty Belt 6580 1” Off Duty Belt 6581 600 700 400 Saps • Four Sizes from 6 3/4’” to 11” • Durable, heavy leather • Molded lead weight with spring steel shank • 2-ply and 4-ply models available Visit Us in Booth #3409 at IACP October 21-24!