The Southwest Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory is a regional crime lab that serves a five parish area (Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis). The lab employs eight full time analysts, an evidence custodian, and a director. 5,000 cases were submitted to the laboratory in 2012.

Chemistry

The chemistry section is involved in analyzing samples for the presence of controlled and non-controlled substances. The majority of samples analyzed contain marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription medication.

Latent Prints

Items submitted to the laboratory can be processed for latent fingerprints. If latent fingerprints are found on evidence they can be compared to fingerprint cards taken from the suspect(s) or ran on AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) to see if a possible match occurs from the database. 

The mission of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office (CPSO) Aviation Unit is to provide aerial support for the organization's patrol, investigative and administrative needs and to support other public agencies in Southwest Louisiana to secure a safer environment for the commerce and well being of the citizens. The goal of the Aviation Unit is to enhance the safety of the community and Sheriff's Office personnel through the strategic deployment of airborne technologies. The Unit strives to increase the safety of officers, as well as improve their effectiveness and efficiency through the timely use of properly equipped fixed-wing or rotary aircraft. The Unit also uses rotorcraft and powered parachute aircraft as needed to supplement its fixed-wing capability. 

A United States Department of Homeland Security Port Security Grant provided funding for the purchase of the CPSO's fixed-wing Cessna aircraft and FLIR (forward looking infrared) technology. A subsequent grant provided for broadcast microwave downlink equipment which allows the aircrew to transmit the FLIR camera imagery to personnel on the ground in real time. 

The aircraft is used in direct support of patrol operations as well as for surveillance activities and transportation as permitted by public law and or federal aviation regulations. The Aviation Unit is responsible for, but not limited to:

A.  Providing air support to patrol operations

B.  Providing the following special air support functions to units of the CPSO for the accomplishment of their missions.

1. Providing surveillance for investigative units;

2. Flying photographic missions as required for gathering evidence; 

3. Transportation of prisoners, detectives and other CPSO personnel

when appropriate.

4. Providing aerial security of V.I.P. and foreign dignitaries as required;

5. Search for lost or stranded persons and /or suspects; and

6. Any mission authorized by the Sheriff or the Sheriff's designee.

C. Providing assistance to incident commanders during unusual occurrences and other special events. 

All of the CPSO pilots are volunteers, highly qualified, and all live in Calcasieu Parish. Most all of them have military, law enforcement or search and rescue flight experience. They all hold either a commercial or airline transport pilot certificate. They are from a variety of occupations such as an air traffic controller, a veterinarian , engineers, a school teacher, law enforcement, or small business owners. 

The Airborne Law Enforcement Association standards recommend, although it is not required, that law enforcement pilots have at least a FAA Commercial Certificate. There are many agencies that allow private pilots to fly law enforcement aircraft. However, we wanted to set our bar high. That enabled us to spend less time getting those pilots comfortable in this aircraft. All of our pilots regularly fly aircraft more complex than the Sheriff’s Department’s Cessna 206. They fly sophisticated multi-engine aircraft and even business jets. So we did not have to spend the time most departments have to spend in training the pilots. As part of the purchase of the aircraft, Cessna sent a flight instructor to Lake Charles to give our pilots a two day course in this particular airplane and its systems.  

The careful and scientific examination of physical evidence is well recognized as a critical element in law enforcement efforts to conduct successful criminal investigations and prosecutions. The Forensic Investigation Unit was formed to bring a high level of expertise to the investigations conducted by the Sheriff's Office and all other agencies in need of assistance.

The FIU is responsible for the documentation of major crime scenes including, but not limited to, homicides, suicides, sexual batteries, armed robberies, shootings, and suspicious deaths. Using the latest technology in different fields such as video and still photography the unit records details of a scene for future investigation, analysis and preparation for court review. The members of the unit are continuously researching new technology. The unit works hand in hand with investigators throughout the case from initial arrival at the scene to the courtroom.

The members of the Forensic Investigation Unit are required to attend hundreds of hours of training in every aspect the field. The members also oversee the procedures and training of the Patrol ID officers, which conduct the day-to-day crime scene and evidence recovery operations of the patrol shifts.

The members of the unit also work very closely with the Calcasieu Parish Coroner's Office and are currently working toward a Crime Scene Education Program in conjunction with area law enforcement agencies and the Coroner's Office.

The Sheriff's Office Evidence Department is an integral part of the daily functions of the entire department. This Evidence Department is responsible for the intake and custody of all evidence and property within the entire Sheriff's Office. 

The Evidence Department maintains the physical chain of custody for criminal investigations. The Evidence custodians work daily with investigators, lab analyst and the District Attorney's office concerning evidence issues. The custodians also maintain a constant inventory on all of the approx. 50 thousand items that are currently being stored.

The Sheriff's Office Photographic Services serves more than 25 different agencies. The photo section serves as the hub for multi media services for the entire southwest Louisiana area.

The personnel assigned to the photo section have specialized training in photography, video, and audio equipment. The photo section continuously researches technology in order to stay up to date. Some of the services performed are digital and 35mm film processing, video enhancement, video and audio duplication, etc.

Submits, reviews, maintains, and oversees the criminal records. These records include rap sheets; offense/incident reports; statements; attachments; and any other documents pertaining to criminal records. Collects and submits the required monthly statistical (LIBURS/UCR) report to the State of Louisiana.

Provides service to other law enforcement agencies, as well as, to the general public upon request.

This division is responsible for obtaining fingerprints and background checks for many different purposes. Some examples are daycare workers, casino employees, firearms permits, and background checks for local employment.

For more information:

337-491-3642

You probably have seen them around before, at Contraband Days, the Rabbit Festival, at the mall during the holidays, and other community events. They work patrol, stakeouts, and are on the waterways.  They are bus drivers, financial planners, plant operators, construction workers, and teachers.  They work side by side with other divisions of the Sheriff’s Office and are over 70 deputies strong.  They are the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division.

The reserve program is based on some very simple concepts. “Promote citizen involvement in law enforcement.  Project and protect the integrity and professionalism of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office while assisting the fellow members of our parish along with the visitors from other areas.”

This group networks with other reserve groups throughout the country through its professional association NRLO (National Reserve Law Officers Association).  When requested, the reserves travel out of the parish to aid other agencies who are short on law enforcement personnel for special events.

There are minimal requirements to become a deputy with the reserve division.  You must be 21 years of age, in good health, and have the flexibility to actively participate in the division.  We have a monthly meeting and a quarterly training class. 

If interested in becoming a reserve deputy, first, download and 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.  Interviews are scheduled at the end of the summer and the beginning of fall. 

If accepted you will attend a three week academy which is generally held in September or October.  The academy is conveniently set up in the evening from 6:00 and 9:00, Monday thru Thursday and all day on Saturday each of the three weeks to try and accommodate most professional work schedules.  The first week will be a study session to pass a written test at the end of the week along with firearms training on the first Saturday.  Passing the written test and qualifying with your firearm are mandatory to move on to the final two weeks of training.  There will be several skilled instructors aiding you in these tasks. 

Most of your questions will be answered during the interview process, but feel free to email us at reserve@cpso.com with any questions.  We look forward to working with you!