Caddo Parish Rejects $3M Proposal for Shreveport Police Cars

Commissioners vote down plan to fund 40 new patrol vehicles for Shreveport PD

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:33am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police car door handle, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The rejection of new patrol car funding highlights the ongoing challenges facing Shreveport's police force.Shreveport Today

Caddo Parish commissioners have rejected a $3 million proposal to purchase 40 new patrol cars for the Shreveport Police Department. The plan, put forth by Commissioner John-Paul Young, aimed to boost police presence and officer retention by providing take-home vehicles. However, the proposal failed on a 6-6 vote, with opponents citing concerns over the use of parish funds.

Why it matters

The decision not to fund the new patrol cars for Shreveport PD highlights the ongoing challenges facing the department, including low starting pay for officers and the need to maintain an adequate fleet of vehicles. The rejection of this proposal could impact police visibility and response times in the community.

The details

Commissioner Young proposed using $3 million in Caddo Parish funds to purchase 40 new patrol cars for the Shreveport Police Department at a cost of $70,000 per vehicle. Young argued that the take-home cars would last longer than the 'pool' vehicles used by multiple officers, and that having more patrol cars on the streets could serve as a deterrent to crime. However, the proposal failed to gain enough support from the commission, with six members voting against it.

  • In 2016, Caddo Parish previously paid for several police cars for the Shreveport PD.
  • The latest proposal was discussed in the Public Safety Committee in 2026.

The players

John-Paul Young

A Caddo Parish commissioner who proposed the $3 million plan to purchase new patrol cars for the Shreveport Police Department.

Shreveport Police Department

The law enforcement agency in Shreveport, Louisiana that was set to receive the new patrol cars if the proposal had been approved.

Caddo Parish Commissioners

The governing body that voted 6-6 to reject the $3 million proposal for new Shreveport police cars.

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What they’re saying

“The starting pay for SPD officers is among the lowest in the area and providing better equipment for the officers could help counter that problem.”

— John-Paul Young, Caddo Parish Commissioner

“These cars typically last much longer than police cars that are in the 'pool' and used by several officers. A take home car can last as long as 10 years while 'pool' cars have an average life of no longer than 3 years.”

— John-Paul Young, Caddo Parish Commissioner

What’s next

Shreveport is already in the process of buying 60 new patrol cars and should be taking delivery of those vehicles later this year.

The takeaway

The rejection of the $3 million proposal for new Shreveport police cars highlights the ongoing challenges facing the department, including officer retention and maintaining an adequate fleet of vehicles. This decision could impact police visibility and response times in the community, underscoring the need for continued investment in public safety resources.