About John

John is an experienced law enforcement professional, trained in all aspects of departmental operations, policy development and implementation, and community relations. His 33 years of service includes over 23 years in supervisory positions and nearly a decade as Police Chief. 

In January 1986, John began his law enforcement career with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Department where he worked as an undercover narcotics officer. As a young adult, he was unsure of his specific career path, so after about six months, he left the department and returned to the construction industry. Still having an interest in law enforcement he maintained a part-time status with the Calcasieu Sheriff’s Department where he assisted the investigations division.

In August 1987, after choosing to make a career in law enforcement, he began employment with the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Department as a corrections officer. He remained as a full time employee of the Sheriff’s Department until December of 1989 when he began his employment as a police patrolman with the DeRidder Police Department. 

John continued to excel in the DeRidder Police Department throughout his 33 years of service.

• 10/01/1995 – Assigned as an investigator to the Beauregard Parish Drug Task Force.
• 05/03/1996 – Promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant. 
• 06/11/1999 – Promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant.
• 01/01/2000 – Reassigned to criminal investigation at the DeRidder Police Department.
• 02/01/2002 – Reassigned to the Beauregard Parish Drug Task Force as the Task Force Supervisor. 
• 04/15/2008 – Reassigned to the patrol division of the DeRidder Police Department as a patrol supervisor. 
• 04/15/2008 – Reassigned to criminal investigations as supervisor. 
• April 2009 – Promoted to Chief of Police.

John’s law enforcement training began with graduating from the Post Basic Police Academy on June 3^rd, 1988 and from the Post Basic Correctional Officers Academy on August 11, 1989.

His instruction continued at the FBI National Academy in 2003. This program for law enforcement administrators in the United States and throughout the world is accredited by the University of Virginia. John expanded his skillset in the areas of Forensic Science, Management Planning and Budgets, Grant Writing, Legal Issues for Command Officers, Contemporary Issues in Drug Law Enforcement, Effective Communication, Community Policing Issues, and Physical Fitness.

In 2010, John attended the Louisiana Law Enforcement Executive Management Institute, New Chief Management Course. The course curriculum covered a wide range of Police Chief Management topics aimed at the role of the Police Chief. Instruction was given covering Law, Bill of Rights, Financial Management, Records Management, Crime Reporting, Media Relations, Civil Service, etc. 

In August 2016, John received the Leadership Trilogy Award from the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association. His achievement in the three areas of study; Supervisor Leadership Institute, Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives, and Executive Leadership Institute, provided education on personality diagnostics, leadership case studies, mentoring, developing your people, performance management, risk management and credibility, best practices strategies and techniques, credibility, command discipline and liability, dealing with problem employees, and leading change within an organization. The Executive Leadership Institute completes the course study covering trends in law enforcement, Implications of the 21st Century Policing, Public trust and legitimacy, Bias and diversity, Employee wellness, Transformational leadership, and Social and emotional intelligence.

• New standard operating procedures for the department
• One of the first, if not the first, Police Departments in the state of Louisiana to go to “Body Worn Cameras”. This was done for transparency and at a time when body worn cameras were not popular.
• Restructuring of the Police Department.
• Increased public relations awareness through partnerships:
  • Hope Village, Grace Church and God’s Food Box in effort to supply food and clothing for families in need. 
  • The Jolly Ole Santa Haulers, and other private organizations, businesses and individuals for Christmas toy drive for children in the Beauregard/South Vernon parish areas. 
  • Supporting numerous local charities and organizations in a continuing effort to support our children and families here in Beauregard Parish
• Implementation of new community policing programs and other services:
  • D.A.R.E.
  • School Resource
  • Family and Elderly Services
  • Animal Control

• Restructuring of salaries for sworn personnel through management and new work concepts. This reduced overtime and other cost allowing the department to construct and manage a new pay scale with step increases, thus increasing salaries from patrolman thru Deputy Chief, allowing the police department to be competitive with all agencies throughout the state. This done through budgeting, while keeping and maintaining all police programs, and not costing tax payers any additional money. 

 

True success is measured for a department through quality of life and public relations and not through arrest or citations. Officers at the DeRidder Police Department are now focusing on “Solving the Issue or Problem” as opposed to being solely concerned on making an arrest. 

• 2017 The DeRidder Police Department was awarded the Non-Profit Organization of the year by the Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce.
• 2018 The City of DeRidder was recognized as the safest city in Louisiana.