INTERVIEW: Caddo sheriff candidate Henry Whitehorn discusses solutions to violent crime, engaging the community
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Early voting is happening now for the Nov. 18 runoff election, and two candidates are vying for one of the most powerful law enforcement jobs in the ArkLaTex: Caddo Parish sheriff.
Democrat Henry Whitehorn is facing off against Republican John Nickelson. Whitehorn has spent most of his career in law enforcement. He served as state trooper, Shreveport’s chief of police, U.S. marshal for the Western District of Louisiana, and chief administrative officer under Mayor Adrian Perkins. Nickelson has practiced law for 20 years and previously served on Shreveport City Council.
One of the men will replace Sheriff Steve Prator, who has held the office for over 20 years. Whitehorn sat down with KSLA News 12 on Wednesday, Nov. 8 to discuss his plans for the city.
“When I was chief of police, we reduced crime to its lowest level in 30 years. Homicides were reduced by 54 percent. I have the experience and the knowledge to bring those relationships to bear,” said Whitehorn.
A big topic of discussion for the candidates is the stop-and-frisk tactic. Whitehorn says the tactic discriminates against African Americans.
“I’ve said over and over again that the stop-and-frisk tactic is not something that we should use as a crime fighting strategy. That tactic has been ruled unconstitutional in other jurisdictions. So, we shouldn’t employ anything that’s going to target people based on their race.”
KSLA’s Steven Maxwell asked Whitehorn if he has used the tactic in his previous law enforcement experience.
“Every police officer has, but it’s a narrow exception to the 14th amendment. It’s not a practice that you want to employ in our communities.”
WATCH THE INTERVIEW>>>
TOPICS DISCUSSED
- Addressing violent crime
- Community engagement
- Utilizing past experience
- Plans for the position
- Duties of sheriff
- Stop-and-frisk tactic
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