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Sheriff outlines shift to proactive community policing, dispatch reorganization and youth programs in Washington Parish
Summary
The sheriff described a cultural shift toward proactive policing—moving 911 dispatch to a central location, stationing deputies in firehouses, and piloting youth and rehabilitation programs—saying these steps aim to improve coordination and public safety without new statutory authority.
Sheriff said he is steering the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office toward a more proactive, problem‑solving approach, urging staff to treat laws as guardrails that allow discretionary fixes rather than as a narrow checklist.
At the start of the presentation, the Sheriff used a ‘bridgekeeper’ analogy to contrast two approaches to public duty, then described concrete changes already under way. "We decided that there was going to be much better for the parish if we did that," he said of moving 911 dispatch to a central parish location, adding that the reorganization replaced isolated, shift‑based dispatch with a two‑person central team capable of handling multiple calls and coordinating responses among law enforcement, fire departments, parish public works, DOTD and utilities.
The Sheriff said the new dispatch model proved its value during a recent severe weather event in which dispatchers logged about 33 reported weather incidents over four hours and coordinated multi‑agency responses. He also said deputies are now operating from firehouses across the parish to increase proactive patrol presence and community engagement.
The Sheriff framed those operational changes as cultural: "Their job is to change behavior and make things safer. Their job is not to harass people and write tickets," he said, describing a roughly one‑to‑one ratio between citations and warnings in daily practice.
He outlined several community and rehabilitative initiatives under consideration or in early stages. The office has set up a charitable account to fund community activities such as youth camps; he said the account was created "shortly after I took office" and is separate from the general fund. He also discussed plans to expand juvenile diversion efforts, pilot an emergency communication certification course for students (similar to a vocational credential for 911 operators), and explore a missionary‑style inmate program modeled on work he observed in other parishes.
On inmate ministry, the Sheriff said outside religious groups already provide services in the jail and that he hopes to incorporate a peer missionary program in time; he cautioned that the current facility does not meet all state jail guidelines and that an interim waiver might be required before bringing such programs into the existing building.
The Sheriff repeatedly emphasized that many of the changes did not require new laws: "There's nothing requiring us to move out to the center of the parish," he said, describing the moves as choices intended to improve public safety and service.
The presentation concluded with the Sheriff opening the floor to questions and thanking local hosts and committee members for organizing the event.
