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Line 48: − + − + + + + − − In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 12, 2019. Prator led a four-candidate field with 39,140 votes (65 percent). He defeated two Democrats, George Eric Hatfield, who polled 12,724 votes (21 percent), and the African-American, Hersy Jones, Jr., who drew 6,887 votes (11 percent). A No Party candidate, Glen Cornell, ran fourth with 1,523 votes (3 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.</ref>
→=Activities as sheriff
Prator's term began on July 1, 2000, when Don Hathaway retired after twenty years as sheriff. Upon taking office, Prator streamlined certain operations and saved $3 million in expenses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caddohistory.com/about_sheriffs_4.html|title=About our Sheriffs|publisher=caddohistory.com|author=[[Eric Brock]]|accessdate=May 23, 2012}}</ref> Prator introduced "community-oriented policing" and developed a network of volunteer programs. He opened the first centers to deal with juvenile truancy, including a temporary holding facility.<ref name=bio/> He supported the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in public schools, which Hathaway had first instituted in Shreveport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caddosheriff.org/content.php?c=105|title=D.A.R.E.|publisher=caddosheriff.org|accessdate=June 14, 2014}}</ref> Prator established bicycle patrols, neighborhood watch teams, and a drug interdiction unit. He developed a work-release program for inmates at the Caddo Correctional Center.<ref name=bio/>
Prator's term began on July 1, 2000, when Don Hathaway retired after twenty years as sheriff. Upon taking office, Prator streamlined certain operations and saved $3 million in expenses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caddohistory.com/about_sheriffs_4.html|title=About our Sheriffs|publisher=caddohistory.com|author=[[Eric Brock]]|accessdate=May 23, 2012}}</ref> Prator introduced "community-oriented policing" and developed a network of volunteer programs. He opened the first centers to deal with juvenile truancy, including a temporary holding facility.<ref name=bio/> He supported the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in public schools, which Hathaway had first instituted in Shreveport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caddosheriff.org/content.php?c=105|title=D.A.R.E.|publisher=caddosheriff.org|accessdate=June 14, 2014}}</ref> Prator established bicycle patrols, neighborhood watch teams, and a drug interdiction unit. He developed a work-release program for inmates at the Caddo Correctional Center.<ref name=bio/>
===Activities as sheriff==
===Activities as sheriff===
Prator is a member of the Louisiana Sheriff's Association, Cops for Christ, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.<ref name=bio/> He was named in 2008, along with his then colleague, Larry Callaway Deen, former sheriff of Bossier Parish, to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, a multi-agency program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=98&printer=1|title=Governor Bobby Jindal Announces Appointments to the Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, March 4, 2008|publisher=gov.louisiana.gov|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> Prator is active in the Louisiana State Fair Board, the LSUS Foundation, and the Norwela Council of the [[Boy Scouts]] of America.<ref name=caddogop>{{cite web|url=http://www.caddogop.com/docs/c03308.pdf|author=Louis R. Avallone|title="This Month's Meeting"|publisher=''The Caddo Republican'', Vol. 17, Edit. 4 (April 2012)|accessdate=May 22, 2012}}</ref>
Prator is a member of the Louisiana Sheriff's Association, Cops for Christ, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.<ref name=bio/> He was named in 2008, along with his then colleague, Larry Callaway Deen, former sheriff of Bossier Parish, to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, a multi-agency program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=98&printer=1|title=Governor Bobby Jindal Announces Appointments to the Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, March 4, 2008|publisher=gov.louisiana.gov|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> Prator is active in the Louisiana State Fair Board, the LSUS Foundation, and the Norwela Council of the [[Boy Scouts]] of America.<ref name=caddogop>{{cite web|url=http://www.caddogop.com/docs/c03308.pdf|author=Louis R. Avallone|title="This Month's Meeting"|publisher=''The Caddo Republican'', Vol. 17, Edit. 4 (April 2012)|accessdate=May 22, 2012}}</ref>
On July 1, 2014, Prator took on the role of director of the Caddo Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, a state agency responsible for disaster and emergency preparedness and response efforts. Previously Caddo and Bossier parishes had operated a mutual Homeland Security office, but Bossier Parish elected to establish its own facility. The sheriff's office will fund the Homeland Security office for Caddo Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20140616/NEWS01/306160036/Steve-Prator-lead-new-Homeland-Security-Office?nclick_check=1|title=Steve Prator to lead new Homeland Security Office|author=Alexandria Burris|date=June 16, 2014|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=June 17, 2014}}</ref>
On July 1, 2014, Prator took on the role of director of the Caddo Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, a state agency responsible for disaster and emergency preparedness and response efforts. Previously Caddo and Bossier parishes had operated a mutual Homeland Security office, but Bossier Parish elected to establish its own facility. The sheriff's office will fund the Homeland Security office for Caddo Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20140616/NEWS01/306160036/Steve-Prator-lead-new-Homeland-Security-Office?nclick_check=1|title=Steve Prator to lead new Homeland Security Office|author=Alexandria Burris|date=June 16, 2014|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=June 17, 2014}}</ref>
Prator handily won a fifth term as sheriff in the primary election held on October 24, 2015. He defeated the Democrat Eric Hatfield, 37,112 votes (73.2 percent) to 13,561 (26.8 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10242015/10242015_09.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/24/2015|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
On October 24, 2015, Prator handily won a fifth term as sheriff in the primary election by defeating the Democrat Eric Hatfield, 37,112 votes (73.2 percent) to 13,561 (26.8 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10242015/10242015_09.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/24/2015|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
In 2017, Sheriff Prator opposed [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]]'s planned release of state prisoners, a move also endorsed by the Louisiana District Attorneys Association as well as bipartisan members of the legislature. Practor said the release would increase violent crime in Caddo Parish. "I wasn't elected to rehabilitate people. There needs to be more done before this law takes effect," Prator said. The ''[[New York Times]]'' accused the sheriff of [[racism]] because he also described certain state prisoners as "bad" and those in parish prisons as "good" because they often perform trusty-type roles. In addition to the parish prisoners, the Caddo Parish Correctional Center houses inmates for the Louisiana Department of Corrections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2017/10/12/caddo-sheriff-prator-criticized-racist-remarks/759863001/|title=Caddo Sheriff Prator criticized for 'racist' remarks|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=October 12, 2017|accessdate=February 16, 2018}}</ref>
In 2017, Sheriff Prator opposed Democratic [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]]'s planned release of state prisoners, a move also endorsed by the Louisiana District Attorneys Association as well as bipartisan members of the legislature. Practor said the release would increase violent crime in Caddo Parish. "I wasn't elected to rehabilitate people. There needs to be more done before this law takes effect," Prator said. The ''[[New York Times]]'' accused the sheriff of [[racism]] because he also described certain state prisoners as "bad" and those in parish prisons as "good" because they often perform trusty-type roles. In addition to the parish prisoners, the Caddo Parish Correctional Center houses inmates for the Louisiana Department of Corrections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2017/10/12/caddo-sheriff-prator-criticized-racist-remarks/759863001/|title=Caddo Sheriff Prator criticized for 'racist' remarks|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=October 12, 2017|accessdate=February 16, 2018}}</ref>
On May 16, 2018, Prator presided over a public meeting to seek consensus on how to curb the rising crime rate in Shreveport. "We've got a lot of crime here. We've got a lot of violence here. And just because the numbers might be up or down a little bit, if you put them all together, this is a dangerous place, at times," Prator said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/sheriff-steve-prator-says-shreveport-is-a-dangerous-place-at-times/|title=Sheriff Steve Prator says Shreveport is a dangerous place at times|publisher=KEEL Radio|accessdate=May 16, 2018}}</ref>
On May 16, 2018, Prator presided over a public meeting to seek consensus on how to curb the rising crime rate in Shreveport. "We've got a lot of crime here. We've got a lot of violence here. And just because the numbers might be up or down a little bit, if you put them all together, this is a dangerous place, at times," Prator said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/sheriff-steve-prator-says-shreveport-is-a-dangerous-place-at-times/|title=Sheriff Steve Prator says Shreveport is a dangerous place at times|publisher=KEEL Radio|accessdate=May 16, 2018}}</ref>
In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 12, 2019. Prator led a four-candidate field with 39,140 votes (65 percent). He defeated two Democrats, George Eric Hatfield, who polled 12,724 votes (21 percent), and the African-American, Hersy Jones, Jr., who drew 6,887 votes (11 percent). A No Party candidate, Glen Cornell, ran fourth with 1,523 votes (3 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.</ref>
===Disagreements with Governor Edwards===
In August 2018, Prator again criticized Governor John Bel Edwards' early release of numerous state prisoners under the "Justice Reinvestment Program." According to Prator, several crimes that he considers violent are now classified as non-violent. He also objects to the reduction in penalties for several violent offenses, including "a home invasion with a weapon." What earlier meant a five-year minimum sentence regarding a home invasion, the Edwards changes allow a one-year minimum sentence, followed by the offer of [[probation]] to the offender.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/sheriff-steve-prator-highly-critical-of-prison-reform-efforts/|title=Sheriff Steve Prator highly critical of prison-reform efforts|publisher=KEEL Radio|accessdate=August 22, 2018}}</ref>
In August 2018, Prator again criticized Governor John Bel Edwards' early release of numerous state prisoners under the "Justice Reinvestment Program." According to Prator, several crimes that he considers violent are now classified as non-violent. He also objects to the reduction in penalties for several violent offenses, including "a home invasion with a weapon." What earlier meant a five-year minimum sentence regarding a home invasion, the Edwards changes allow a one-year minimum sentence, followed by the offer of [[probation]] to the offender.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/sheriff-steve-prator-highly-critical-of-prison-reform-efforts/|title=Sheriff Steve Prator highly critical of prison-reform efforts|publisher=KEEL Radio|accessdate=August 22, 2018}}</ref>
As the disagreement with Prator escalated, Edwards stopped the pending appointment of Mrs. Prator to a seat on the Red River Waterway board of commissioners formerly held by the late [[Rogers M. Prestridge]] of Shreveport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/opinion/2018/08/16/gov-edwards-plays-politics-denies-caddo-waterway-commission-seat/1008148002/|title=Gov. Edwards plays politics to deny Caddo Parish a waterway commission seat|author=John E. Settle, Jr.|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=August 16, 2018|accessdate=August 30, 2018}}</ref> On August 30, Prator again questioned Edwards' criminal justice policies in an appearance on ''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]]'', a statewide [[radio]] broadcast. Instead, Edwards appointed Mike Deville of Rapides Parish to fill the slot. [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Neely Kennedy]] has strongly defended Prator in the dispute with Edwards. Kennedy, a potential Republican opponent to Edwards in 2019, said that he believes Edwards rejected Carolyn Prator's appointment because of the sheriff's earlier criticism of the governor's justice reforms, bipartisan measures that Kennedy himself also opposes. Kennedy cited the [[African-American]] Democratic state Senator [[Greg Tarver]] of Shreveport, who was quoted in ''The Baton Rougee Advocate'' as having said that Edwards told him he blocked the nomination of Carolyn Prator because of her husband's opposition to the justice reforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2018/09/13/kennedy-accuses-edwards-vendetta-against-caddo-sheriff/1291981002/|title=Kennedy accuses Edwards of vendetta against Caddo sheriff
As the disagreement with Prator escalated, Edwards stopped the pending appointment of Mrs. Prator to a seat on the Red River Waterway board of commissioners formerly held by the late [[Rogers M. Prestridge]] of Shreveport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/opinion/2018/08/16/gov-edwards-plays-politics-denies-caddo-waterway-commission-seat/1008148002/|title=Gov. Edwards plays politics to deny Caddo Parish a waterway commission seat|author=John E. Settle, Jr.|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=August 16, 2018|accessdate=August 30, 2018}}</ref> On August 30, Prator again questioned Edwards' criminal justice policies in an appearance on ''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]]'', a statewide [[radio]] broadcast. Instead, Edwards appointed Mike Deville of Rapides Parish to fill the slot. [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Neely Kennedy]] has strongly defended Prator in the dispute with Edwards. Kennedy, a potential Republican opponent to Edwards in 2019, said that he believes Edwards rejected Carolyn Prator's appointment because of the sheriff's earlier criticism of the governor's justice reforms, bipartisan measures that Kennedy himself also opposes. Kennedy cited the [[African-American]] Democratic state Senator [[Greg Tarver]] of Shreveport, who was quoted in ''The Baton Rougee Advocate'' as having said that Edwards told him he blocked the nomination of Carolyn Prator because of her husband's opposition to the justice reforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2018/09/13/kennedy-accuses-edwards-vendetta-against-caddo-sheriff/1291981002/|title=Kennedy accuses Edwards of vendetta against Caddo sheriff
|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|accessdate=September 16, 2018}}</ref>
|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|accessdate=September 16, 2018}}</ref>
In 2022, Sheriff Prator killed a state program, known by the unusual name "Mister Coffee Bean," which is intended to train certain felons to teach elementary school upon their release from prison. Prator said that while he supports efforts to reduce recidivism in prison, the program could put children into danger and should not be pursued.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/education/2022/03/14/louisiana-program-put-felons-schools-teachers-suspended-caddo-sherrif-raises-issues-shreveport/7036700001/|title=Louisiana wanted to make felons teachers. Here's how the Caddo sheriff helped end the program|author=Makenzie Boucher|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=March 14, 2022|accessdate=March 17, 2022}}</ref>
In 2022, Sheriff Prator killed a state program, known by the unusual name "Mister Coffee Bean," which is intended to train certain felons to teach elementary school upon their release from prison. Prator said that while he supports efforts to reduce recidivism in prison, the program could put children into danger and should not be pursued.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/education/2022/03/14/louisiana-program-put-felons-schools-teachers-suspended-caddo-sherrif-raises-issues-shreveport/7036700001/|title=Louisiana wanted to make felons teachers. Here's how the Caddo sheriff helped end the program|author=Makenzie Boucher|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=March 14, 2022|accessdate=March 17, 2022}}</ref>