The Patrol Division is divided into two sectors, North and South. Each sector has its own special activities to communicate with the citizens of Caddo Parish. There are also many Special Teams that are part of the Patrol Division and communicate with the citizens in specialized areas.

The deputies in both sectors have emphasized Community Oriented Policing.

In August, the South Sector hosted a National Night Out block party, as well as a Halloween party in October at the South Substation for citizens from all over south Caddo Parish. Another activity for the children of our citizenry is the Dixie League youth baseball team, the Caddo Stars.

The deputies regularly participate in Operation Santa Claus. This past year the deputies took it upon themselves to assist two underprivileged local families during the Christmas season. The Caddo Watch Program has been put into affect for the citizens of south Caddo Parish. This program involves senior citizens who are called by citizen volunteers to check on their welfare. The fiscal year ended with record high temperatures with no relief forecast for the remainder of the summer. Because of the oppressive heat, the deputies also personally checked on senior citizens who are enrolled in the Caddo Watch program.

The North Sector deputies, through a grant funded by the Governor’s Office, provide a summer youth recreation program for the youth in rural northern Caddo Parish. The program, held Monday and Tuesday nights in Vivian and Oil City, provides an atmosphere of safe and fun recreation time for youths. This program allows the youths of the area to view the deputies as not only law enforcement officers, but also as friends.

The deputies also participate in Operation Santa Claus, a program to provide toys for underprivileged children. They also host a National Night Out block party, where the citizens get to meet the deputies and some of the special teams at the Oil City substation.

By attending town and civic meetings in their assigned areas, deputies open direct lines of communication among the Sheriff’s Office, municipal leaders and citizens. These open lines of communication have provided information about criminal activities, health problems and concerns and other areas that affect the quality of life enjoyed by all citizens.

The deputies of both sectors involve themselves in working together with small groups of citizens called "Neighborhood Watches" to help prevent crime in their neighborhoods. We feel the citizens are our customers and we intend to provide the best service and protection possible for those living in our area.

The Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy Unit is a part of the Patrol Division. The unit is made up of 58 Caddo Parish citizens who serve as reserve deputies. The unit is divided into operations and support groups. There are 36 citizens who perform operations duties and 22 who perform support functions. The Reserve Deputies put in 3,021 hours of service last year. Their activities involve working Patrol, festivals, parades and security for the community.

The Highway Drug Interdiction Unit is operated from the Patrol Division. This is funded by a state grant and comprises specially trained patrol deputies working off-duty. This unit was responsible for the seizure of more than 350 pounds of marijuana and three kilograms of cocaine, and the arrest of more than 50 probable drug dealers.

Special teams are a vital part of the Operations Bureau and are made up of deputies who have specialized training and respond when emergency situations occur.

The K-9 Unit consists of four narcotics K-9s and three patrol K-9s. Each year our K-9s are responsible for taking hundreds of pounds of illegal narcotics off the streets of Caddo Parish. They serve as a deterrent to bringing narcotics into our schools by doing random searches at Caddo Parish schools. The Patrol K-9s search buildings, track fleeing felony suspects, find persons lost in wooded areas and provide officer safety on felony traffic stops. Our K-9s and handlers also conduct more than 30 demonstrations and talks at various civic groups, churches and schools each year to better acquaint the citizens with our deputies.

Our Search and Rescue Unit has 12 members who are trained in the operation of our various water crafts and underwater diving. They perform search and rescue operations on the many waterways of Caddo Parish as well as in emergency situations such as floods, tornadoes or any other disaster. They also work with other local law enforcement agencies when called upon.

Our Dive Team placed second this year among 16 teams from Texas and Louisiana in underwater competitions held in San Marcus, Texas. As more recreational activity comes to the Red River, our Search and Rescue personnel are working closely with the Coast Guard so that we will be prepared for any type of accident. On summer holidays our boats patrol Caddo Lake and Red River to keep them safe for the boating public.

The Hazardous Material Unit has eight members who are trained to deal with any hazardous material spill or emergency. They work closely with the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association and participate in local disaster drills. They train with other area fire departments and haz-mat teams so that a standardization of procedures will assure the expert handling of any situation.

The Bomb Squad has two members who are trained in the identification and disposal of explosive devices. This team has responded to seven calls this past year where explosive devices were located or threats were made.

The Aviation Unit has two airplanes and two pilots who perform directed patrol duties in areas where they are needed. The pilots also conduct routine aerial surveillance over the entire parish and are expert at aerial identification of suspicious activity.

This unit plays a vital role in many search and rescue operations and aids Patrol in the apprehension of fleeing criminal suspects.

The Ceremonial Unit has 15 members who reflect the professionalism of the Sheriff’s Office at ceremonies such as Police Memorials, presentation of the flag at various organizations’ meetings and services for fallen officers.

Three Caddo Parish schools have Sheriff’s Office Crossing Guards to help students, faculty and buses arrive and depart safely.

We provide Byrd, Northwood, Southwood and Woodlawn High Schools with deputies as School Resource Officers to provide a safe learning environment for our children. These SROs work with faculty and students on the campus, in the classroom and at after-school activities such as athletic events.

SROs are role models for the students and form bonds with them and their parents alike which spills over into the community to bridge the gap between citizens and law enforcement.