Here’s what day one of working in law enforcement looks like

Zane Hogue
·3 min read

[Editor’s note: This is the second in a five-part series on careers in law enforcement in Acadiana. Click here for part one]

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — Whether your goals are to be a patrol deputy, S.W.A.T. or even a bookkeeper, your journey with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office begins at the parish jail.

Once new hires have completed their initial assessment the next step is meeting with jail supervisor Tiffany Rochon to start job shadowing corrections deputies.

Want to work in law enforcement? Here’s how to get started

“In that shadow program they’ll be able to visit different departments of the agency,” Rochon explained. “Also get to shadow and see what the duties will include once they start working on the floor, as well as some of the duties they will probably have if they decide to move into the enforcement section.”

Upon completing the shadowing process, deputies move on to the corrections academy.

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“We start them off with 92 hours of training that progresses into the 201 hour level three certification, which is followed by 336 hours of additional on the job training that they’re with a training officer,” said Sheriff Garber.

One they complete the corrections academy, they are officially assigned a shift.

“The day in the life of a shift deputy can vary. The most important thing for a floor deputy is to make sure that offenders are accounted for, that offenders receive the items that they need. But also making sure that the head counts are correct, meaning that the offenders are in the locations that they’re supposed to be,” said Rochon.

Depending on the shift deputies are assigned, additional duties can include escorting offenders to a court appointment, medical appointments, as well as dealing with anything that may happen on the jail floor.

Through all of these duties, Rochon says deputies learn vital communication skills that will help them not only succeed in the jail, but in all aspects of law enforcement.

But what if your goals don’t involve working on the floor or becoming a patrol deputy?

Corporal Patricia Landry has been with the sheriff’s office for 19 years and says there are many other opportunities to grow a career.

“They opened me up to a lot of things I didn’t know about. I started in intake and booking, I did master control, I’ve moved throughout the jail, so I’ve learned different parts, I’m currently in the supply department. I feel wanted, I do my job, it’s fulfilling,” said Landry.

Wherever your ideal position may be, Rochon says strong focus on your goals makes the journey worth every second.

“Working in the jail, I guess for some, wouldn’t be a luxury. But it’s what you make it and it’s what your goals are in the long run. If you want to make a change or you want to make a difference, I mean this is pretty much the best part,” said Rochon.

After spending time as a corrections deputy, the next step is heading to the academy and training to become a patrol deputy.

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