SHREVEPORT, La. — A Shreveport police officer was arrested and booked Friday on charges of misdemeanor theft and malfeasance in connection with the alleged theft of a ceremonial American flag in 2010.
The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office identified the officer as Ryan Robinson. Shreveport Police Chief Willie Shaw said in a news release that Robinson was placed on paid administrative leave Friday. Robinson, 28, has been with the department since February 2006.
Prator said the flag was recently recovered by the Shreveport police and turned over to sheriff's investigators.
The Sheriff's Office said the flag was taken during a search executed by the Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Task Force at a Vivian residence in August 2010. Shreveport police officers on the Task Force are deputized by the sheriff and have arrest powers in the parish.
Sheriff Steve Prator said the flag had not been an object of the search. Prator said he was made aware by Shaw of allegations about the theft of the flag. He said the flag was recently recovered by Shreveport police and turned over to sheriff's investigators.
"This is a serious violation of public trust," Prator said in a news release. "Law enforcement officers must be above reproach when entering any citizen's home or be prepared to face the consequences."