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Corrected the number of hours in the academy's curriculum.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office Regional Training Academy welcomed cadet class #56 on January 22. A group of 25 recruits from multiple agencies entered the Academy for the first time to receive training and education according to the Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) standards.

Over the next 14 weeks, the recruits will undergo training in various areas, including officer survival skills, active shooter drills, officer-down scenarios, academics, and weapons qualifications. The training will also cover physical fitness, chemical weapons, legal aspects, defensive tactics, driving, diversity, professionalism, and other topics.

Class #56 is scheduled to graduate on May 7.

Located near the bank of the Red River on LA Hwy. 1 South, the Academy has been training new deputies and police officers since 2001. Since opening our doors, we've provided thousands of law enforcement professionals with relevant and up to date training while being cost effective. The Northwest Planning District we serve consists of the following parishes: Caddo, Bienville, Bossier, Claiborne, Desoto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, and Sabine.

"Becoming a regional Academy was no easy task. POST officials inspected the Caddo facility's guidelines, curriculum, building, and instructors' credentials before making the designation. Our academy goes beyond the  POST council standard minimum hours by providing a comprehensive 500+ hour basic curriculum. District attorneys, federal prosecutors, and other legal professionals were recruited to teach the law," said Sheriff Steve Prator.

For questions regarding this press release, please contact Brandon Fountain