Sheriffs from across the state of Louisiana met last week in Bossier City for the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association 2013 Midwinter Conference.
Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington is hosting the two-day bi-annual conference that will continue thru today.
“I am pleased to host fellow sheriffs here in Bossier Parish so that we can meet to discuss a number of issues affecting law enforcement and our state,” said Sheriff Whittington. “Northwest Louisiana also has a lot to offer, and I am excited to showcase our wonderful area and its great people.”
Some of the agenda items include court security, violence in schools, emergency preparedness and criminal sex operations. Louisiana sheriffs meet twice a year to discuss various issues, but it’s also a chance for them to share ideas on being the chief law enforcement officer of their parish.
“The history of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association dates back to 1938 when a group of Louisiana sheriffs realized that they would need to formally organize themselves into a cohesive group to specifically address issues related to the office of sheriff and the changing times,” said Michael Ranatza, LSA Executive Director. “Coming to Bossier Parish also allows many of our southern Louisiana sheriffs the opportunity to experience life in the northern part of the state, and Sheriff Whittington and folks in northwest Louisiana have been outstanding hosts.”
Louisiana sheriffs are unique among their nationwide counterparts in three distinct ways: each is the chief law enforcement officer; the chief executive officer of the court; and the official tax collector for the parish in which he has been elected.
The Louisiana Sheriffs´ Association comprises Louisiana´s 64 sheriffs and nearly 14,000 deputy sheriffs. Its purpose is to maintain the powers of the sheriff as peace officer, to ensure the delivery of first-rate services by sponsoring legislation to promote the administration of criminal justice and to serve as a clearinghouse for information.
