Fiscal Year 1997-98 was all about challenges. The challenge of retention of personnel, professional pay on parity with the Shreveport/Bossier law enforcement community, and the continuing challenge to deliver quality services to the criminal justice system and the citizens of Caddo Parish.

Even though the dust is still settling, it appears that we came out on top. While there were many who chose not to stay employed with us and there was less than enthusiastic response to a tax election to deal with deputy pay raises, it did not end there. As the fiscal year ends, there have been victories. We hosted several nationally recognized training events and I was privileged to receive one of the first Jail Manager Certifications in the history of the U.S. In addition, we passed the Louisiana State Jail Standards inspection with a 100 percent compliance and were complimented as a "premier facility" by the inspectors.

Last, the Sheriff was able to grant a significant pay raise simply because he has been a good manager of the funds with which we have been entrusted.

As we close out the year, I have personally received many inquiries about employment, including several from those who left before the raise and are now having second thoughts. Our goal is to increase staffing levels so that we can continue to transfer deputies to job positions throughout the agency.

In addition, national accreditation is still very much a hot topic as we face our first on-site audit next spring. Due to hard work and deputies who know how to "roll with the punches," we can expect our next year of challenges to be successful.

Assistant Chief of Detention