SHREVEPORT, La. — More than half of Shreveport's homicides this year have been linked to domestic violence, according to the Shreveport Police Department, as detectives say heavy caseloads, staffing shortages and victim cooperation continue to challenge investigations.
Police have responded to 1,499 domestic violence calls in 2026. Of the city's 24 homicides, 12 have been classified as domestic violence-related.
"With our case volume, we can't be at every domestic case across the city of Shreveport," Det. Jason Booze said.
Sgt. Logan McDonald said the workload has remained constant.
"You're never caught up. It's non-stop all over the city," McDonald said.
Detectives say patrol staffing shortages often lead to longer response times, making it less likely officers arrive while a suspect is still at the scene. As a result, many domestic violence arrests are made later through warrants rather than during the initial response.
Booze said quicker patrol responses can make a significant difference.
"More patrol officers would equal a shorter response time," Booze said. "The potential for the suspect to still be on scene ... would be so much better."
Investigators also encourage victims to obtain protective orders, saying they help document abuse and strengthen criminal cases. Police say about 30 protective orders are typically filed each month, but 51 were filed in June. Detectives believe a new process allowing victims to file at police substations instead of only at the courthouse may be helping.
Victim cooperation remains one of the biggest challenges investigators face.
"I think about 90% of the time, victims don't cooperate in domestic violence cases," McDonald said.
Even when victims choose not to participate, detectives say they continue building cases using physical evidence, witness statements and other investigative tools.
Booze said fear often prevents victims from cooperating until a suspect is taken into custody.
"It's oftentimes not until we're able to effect that arrest ... that they finally do feel safe," Booze said. "When the victim does finally feel safe, they do cooperate a lot more."
Detectives encourage anyone experiencing domestic violence to report abuse, document incidents, seek a protective order and take advantage of resources such as Project Celebration, which provides shelter, relocation assistance and support services for victims and their children.
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