Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Jan. 6, 2003

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

More than 100 officers to advance to corporal

More than 100 officers will become corporals during two separate advancement ceremonies on Tuesday.

The ceremonies will take place at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Police Assembly Room, located on the second floor of the Shreveport Police Department.

The advancements were implemented as a way to keep experienced officers from leaving the department and going to work for other police organizations that pay more.

The increase in rank from officer to corporal applies to officers who have been with the department five years. The advancement comes with a four-tiered pay increase, which means the corporals will get more pay as they gain more seniority and approach the next rank of sergeant.

Previously, officers waited as much as 10 or 11 years to become corporals. Now, officers automatically become corporals after five years of service.

Reporters, please note:

Technically, the officers are not being "promoted," because there is no civil service exam required for them to advance. The other ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain and assistant chief do require successful completion of a civil service exam.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews