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The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office recently participated in a one-day leadership training with the Shreveport Police Department, focusing on the realities of violence against women and enhancing law enforcement's response to domestic violence.

The training was led by Mark Wynn of Wynn Consulting and Melissa Richard, a Justice Systems Advocate with the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV). 

Command staff from both agencies discussed important topics, including the common characteristics of crimes against women, frequently overlooked concurrent offenses, reasons why these crimes may go unrecognized during investigations, and the consequences of not fully addressing domestic violence cases.

The training also highlighted the importance of recognizing potential officer bias, approaching victims with sensitivity, and understanding the fear and distrust that can prevent survivors from fully engaging with law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

Leaders from the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office and the Shreveport Police Department have collaborated to enhance strategies for investigating domestic violence, holding offenders accountable, and supporting survivors. Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr. emphasized that this effort is rooted in education and a shared commitment to improving responses to such incidents.

For questions regarding this press release, please contact Breck Scott