Shreveport Police Department officers appeared before the city council on Oct. 13, 2026, to request funding for a new lake‑patrol rescue vessel, arguing that the department’s existing boat is ill‑suited for emergency work. According to KSLA, the current craft is a converted fishing boat that officers say is “dangerous to use for that purpose” and requires frequent repairs.

Because of the boat’s limitations, SPD has often had to rely on other agencies’ vessels to conduct water rescues. Officers told council members that the lack of a purpose‑built rescue boat hampers the department’s ability to respond quickly and safely to incidents on the Red River and nearby lakes, putting both residents and officers at risk.

The vessel the department is seeking to purchase is the Vigilance 23, a center‑console patrol boat designed for rescue operations. The estimated cost of the boat ranges from $260,000 to $280,000. Council members were presented with the price range and the specifications of the Vigilance 23, which is marketed as a faster, more maneuverable platform for water‑based emergencies.

During the hearing, officers testified that the boat’s limitations have forced the department to request assistance from other agencies for rescue missions, further delaying response times. They emphasized that a purpose‑built boat would reduce reliance on outside resources and improve overall public‑safety capabilities on Shreveport’s waterways.

City council has scheduled a vote on the purchase for Oct. 27. If the legislation is approved, officers said the customized boat would take an estimated eight to twelve months to arrive, allowing the department to replace the aging fishing boat with a vessel built specifically for rescue missions.

What’s next: The council will vote on Oct. 27; approval would set the procurement process in motion, with the new boat expected to be delivered sometime between eight and twelve months after the vote, likely arriving in mid‑2027.

Sources: ksla.com