Helicopter partnership proposed between DeSoto and SPD

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Protecting officers and catching criminals using an eye-in-the sky helicopter. That is the idea between the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office and Shreveport Police which are in talks to add a helicopter to its fleet.

DeSoto Sheriff Jason Richardson and Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith were invited to city council Monday to detail a proposed plan to use a helicopter to respond to active situations. The two agencies would enter a cooperative endeavor partnership to share expenses.

The Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office currently owns a helicopter and operates flight program as the only air unit for north Louisiana with assistance from Louisiana State Police which operates an unit in Alexandria.

DeSoto is outfitting a newer model helicopter to be based in Stonewall with cutting edge GPS mapping technology that would be able to respond to scenes in Shreveport in two minutes.

“To have air support be able to respond to an officer in a foot pursuit in two minutes is something that we’ve never experience in this area. My bucket list check mark is the moment we are overhead in an active pursuit and the sky lights up. Because I know as a deputy in my 25th year in law enforcement, this type of relief. It was a relief just to hear that somebody else was close by. But to know an eye in the sky is overhead, and what that does for morale as well as a deterrent because where are you going if you are somebody choosing to run,” Sheriff Richardson said.

Richardson told the council that operating an effective air unit is expensive and the crime rate of DeSoto and Shreveport collectively would justify the means for paying for it. Expenses for Shreveport would be capped at $150,000 with DeSoto paying for expenses exceeding that. Two pilots are already hired and two tactical flight officers will join.

City councilman Grayson Boucher said a helicopter partnership could make a real difference.

“With the incidents we’ve had at Ford Park. With the incidents we’ve had downtown. It’s not to necessarily scare people, but I think a lot of bad actors know that we’re limited on officers and when you’ve got something hovering around with a light shining on you and heat-seeking too. That is just a tool that just don’t think we could put a price tag on,” Boucher said.

Boucher went on to say he is requesting a helicopter pad in south and north Shreveport near the substations.

DeSoto plans to have their new helicopter operational in November.