SHREVEPORT, La. — Three officers with the Shreveport Police Department have been arrested and charged with malfeasance in office and theft following allegations they stole merchandise from a towed vehicle.
The incident came to light after KSLA News 12 received a tip and began investigating. When questioned by reporters, SPD launched an internal and criminal investigation. Police Chief Wayne Smith immediately placed the officers on administrative leave.
According to SPD, the officers were called to Sam’s Town Casino by a vehicle recovery agency on August 26. During the tow, the recovery agent reportedly saw a large quantity of merchandise inside the vehicle and contacted police out of concern that the items might be stolen.
However, instead of securing the items, the officers allegedly took merchandise from the vehicle, some of which ended up in the SPD property room, while other items were returned to the business owner’s store.
The arrested officers are:
Kourtney Jackson, hired in 2018 as a dispatcher, became an officer in 2023
Cpl. Shanora Gipson Ross, with SPD since 2016
Cpl. Tarogie Jones, with SPD since 2016
All three are being booked into the Caddo Correctional Center.
The owner of 318 Plug, the business tied to the vehicle, told KSLA her car was towed while loaded with a shipment of products. She claims that when she attempted to retrieve the items from the SPD facility, several were missing.
The tow truck driver reportedly told her that SPD officers arrived at the scene and began taking items. Surveillance footage later showed an officer returning some of the items to the woman’s store.
SPD confirmed the video evidence and issued a statement:
“The video in question shows an officer returning items to a local store. This matter was first brought to our attention by KSLA. Once informed, the department immediately initiated both a criminal and administrative investigation.”
SPD says the investigation is ongoing, and further disciplinary or legal action may follow.
