Specials Operations
Livestock Patrol
There is currently no Open Stock Law in Jefferson Davis Parish, which means no persons owning livestock shall knowingly, willfully or negligently permit their livestock to go at large upon public land, roadways or on any private property without permission from the property owner (RS 3:3003). It is the livestock owners’ responsibility to properly maintain the perimeter to prevent livestock at large.
In the event a citizen encounters any livestock at large “loose,” on a roadway, on private property not permitted or outside a fenced area, they are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department Dispatch Center (911) immediately.
If the Sheriff's Office receives repeated calls regarding the escape of livestock from the same area, the livestock owner could face citations and/or a fine. As per Ordinance No. 189, § 2, 7-5-23 and Ord. No. 2248, 7-23-14, the fee to pick up an animal at large is $200, plus an additional $50 per day for housing, feeding and care.
The Sheriff’s Office cannot aid in the capture of escaped animals reported by the owner of the animal, unless the animal is loose on a public roadway and is a threat to public safety.
If deputies encounter livestock at large, and there is no immediate way to determine ownership, the animal will be transported to another location. As per Ordinance No. 180, § 2, 7-5-23, the Jefferson Davis Parish Police Jury will then advertise the animal for one week in the local paper to seek the owner. Any reported claims require documentation proving ownership or a detailed description of the animal. If no claims are made, the police jury then has the right to sell the animal and keep the proceeds from the sale.
According to the Louisiana state leash law (RS 3:2771) no person shall allow or permit any dog in his or her possession, or kept by him about his premises, to run at large on any unenclosed land or trespass upon any enclosed or unenclosed lands of another. However, dogs are not considered livestock and the Sheriff’s Office cannot seize any dogs at large.
Anyone who discovers they have missing livestock is encouraged to contact the Police Jury Office at (337) 824-4792 or the Sheriff’s Office at (337) 821-2100 with a description of the animal and a location of the animal’s origins.
To report any theft, neglected or abused livestock or domestic animals, contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately.
Marine Division
We have expanded our patrolling ability by including additional trucks to our fleet, allowing us to respond to emergency situations during flooding emergencies.
After expanding our patrolling ability, we then became aware of a greater need for the Sheriff’s Office to enact a Marine Patrol Division, allowing the agency the ability to assist in searches for missing boaters, fisherman and hunters, as well as providing additional methods of assistance for the residence of the parish through the many parish-wide waterways and during flooding emergencies.
D.A.R.E. / School Resource Officer (SRO) Programs
In an effort to work with the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board and its administrators to reduce crime and violence in the school environment, the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office has implemented the School Resource Officers (SRO) Program and the D.A.R.E. Program in all parish schools. Together, these programs provide law enforcement services to ensure a safe learning environment for youth and educate students in a range of topics such as bullying and maintaining a drug-free lifestyle. They also act as a strong law enforcement presence in the school environment providing security, as well as support and council to students when needed.
The policy goal of these programs is to enforce all laws and maintain a learning environment, enabling students to reach their full potentials. SRO and D.A.R.E. Officers report to their assigned school location during school hours, providing a wide range of services, including student mentoring, teaching classes related to the law enforcement role and taking enforcement action for incidents occurring in school. These officers do not enforce school policies such as rules regarding school uniforms, cell phones and music devices, but will render assistance to school officials when necessary.
These specialized law enforcement officers also keep school administrators informed of issues regarding student safety, trends involving alcohol and drug abuse, emergencies involving weather related conditions or hazardous materials, road closures and issues due to weather conditions or extenuating circumstances. They also keep school officials and administrators informed of situations or incidents involving major crimes, situations warranting additional police presence on school campus, the discovery or reporting of any student incident, on or off campus, involving drinking, drugs or other illegal activity.
School Resource Officer (SRO)
The Center for the Prevention of School Violence defines a School Resource Officer (SRO) as a certified law enforcement officer who is permanently assigned to provide coverage to a school or a set of schools. The SRO is specifically trained to perform three roles: law enforcement officer, law-related counselor and law-related education teacher.
The SRO is not necessarily a DARE officer, security guard or officer/deputy who has been temporarily placed in a school in response to a crisis situation, but rather acts as a comprehensive resource for his or her school. He or she should be an example to students, balancing compassion with discipline and assisting the school system in motivating students to reach their full potential. SRO deputies provide campus protection, while building relationships and maintaining a strong and direct line of communication and awareness with school administration and students.
The SRO is also a safety officer for the school and should always evaluate the surrounding external area of the school to determine the potential for possible threats, such as railroad tracks, highways, flight patterns, etc. and the dangerous consequences a disaster in these areas could affect the school. He or she should also be involved in any safety exercises such as fire drills or any other practice drills that help prepare students for emergency situations.
Communication with school administration is the key to a successful, professional relationship between the SRO and their assigned school or schools. The SRO is a confidential source, someone who can be trusted and talked to about situations that could hamper or endanger people.
D.A.R.E
D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles, CA and has been so successful it is now utilized in over 75 percent of the school districts in the United States, as well as more than 43 countries around the world. D.A.R.E. is a combined effort between specially trained law enforcement officers, schools, teachers, parents and the community to educate children about the real dangers of drugs and alcohol.
The D.A.R.E. America Organization defines a D.A.R.E. Officer as an officer that is the first line of defense in America's schools. Their job is to educate children, but to also prevent school violence and intruders who may attempt to enter a school with the intention to harm children and others.
There are 12 science-based lessons D.A.R.E. officers cover with each of their groups. These lessons including topics such as decision-making skills, understanding risks, understanding how substances affect the brain and body, communication skills, refusal skills, how to pick friends, as well as share cool and fun things to do without using drugs. Along with these enjoyable student lessons, each participant also writes an essay and completes their D.A.R.E. Planner before graduating from the program.
D.A.R.E. graduations are held at individual schools and divided between the spring and fall, during which, several awards and certificates are distributed.
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Reserves
You have probably seen them around before at local high-school football games and other community events, working patrol, stakeouts, transports and security. The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office Reserve Division works side-by-side with other departments in the Sheriff's Office.
Minimal requirements to become a deputy with the reserve division are that a candidate for the reserves division must be 21 years of age and willing to donate at least 32 hours of volunteer time each quarter.
Anyone interested in becoming a Reserve Deputy and joining this team, may complete an application from the "Employment" section on this website. For Position Applying For, put "Reserve Division." Once you have submitted the application and all necessary paperwork, a background check will be completed and you will be called for an interview when a position opens.
