Man Fights With Shreveport Police: He Loses
On July 7th, 2023, at 7:35 p.m. Shreveport Police Community Response officers conducted a traffic stop in the 1200 block of Market Street. As the officer contacted the driver Hayward Steadman (10-15-67), he was asked to exit the vehicle. Steadman refused and a struggle ensued. During the altercation, Steadman kicked the officer in the abdomen while on the ground.
With the assistance of another officer, Steadman was taken into custody following the struggle. The officer did not sustain any lasting injuries. Steadman was transported to a local area hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained during the struggle.
Steadman was charged with Battery on a Police Officer, one count of resisting with force, one count of possession of Marijuana, one count of careless operation of a vehicle, one count of an open alcoholic beverage container, and multiple traffic offenses. We are required to remind that all persons on innocent until proven guilty.
Chief Wayne Smith and the Shreveport Police Department would like to take this time to advise citizens that officers can and will often ask occupants of a vehicle to exit. This can be due to a number of reasons.
The United State Supreme Court has held that police officers can order drivers to get out of their vehicles during lawful traffic stops stating that “once a motor vehicle has been lawfully detained for a traffic violation, the police officers may order the driver to get out of the vehicle without violating the Fourth Amendment’s proscription of unreasonable searches and seizures.”