Police training focuses on officer-involved shootings

Local and surrounding parish law enforcement officers attended an Officer Involved in Shootings training today facilitated by Louisiana State Police and the Patterson Police Department.

The state police Criminal Investigative Division team’s goal was to inform officers about investigative procedures during any type of shooting, but more specifically, those involving officers.

This facilitating team is a group of people who regularly investigates incidents after an officer has been involved in a shooting.

“I think it brings awareness of what you’re going to be going through,” Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle said.

“And it makes you a little bit more astute to the fact that you have to have certain things in place before you draw a weapon.”

LaSalle is a retired state police officer.

“We don’t use weapons to intimidate,” LaSalle said. “There is a protocol to follow before an officer shoots.”

The protocol is called “the use of force continuum.”

There are four steps in the process: verbal, soft hand, hard hand (baton), and deadly force.

“In other words, when you get out of your car, you don’t get out with a gun in your hand,” LaSalle said.

Besides teaching what an investigation entails, the training should reinforce the protocols of using the force of continuum. It serves as a reminder for officers that they need to follow the protocol, LaSalle said.

“I know the world, the country now is at point of questioning law enforcement,” LaSalle said. “But good training, good training sets the mindset that we’re here to serve.

“And that’s the thing I stress to my personnel. … It’ll bring their attention to what they should be doing because of what they’re going to be prepared to go through. Shooting investigations are very extensive.”

Because of all the national attention of officers involved in shootings, LaSalle made a decision to hold the training in Patterson. Otherwise, the training might not have occurred.

“Probably not, to be honest with you,” LaSalle said. “But in all fairness, about six months ago, Louisiana State Police mentioned it to me and I said we’re going to do it. They were more proactive on it than I was.”

The 16th Judicial District Attorney’s Office also presented an overview of state laws pertaining to open carry for officers.

“We need to be aware of what’s allowed and not allowed,” LaSalle said. “I personally say engage anyone you see with a gun. My emphasis is educating the officers on where they (citizens) can and cannot do this.”

Lately, the chief is concerned about seeing more citizens openly carrying guns.

“We’re seeing more and more of it,” LaSalle said. “And personally, what I feel it does is shows a lack of confidence in law enforcement. And I personally feel … violence begets violence.”

He cites community policing as a way to solve a lot of problems. It involves officers reaching out to the community, becoming involved in the community they serve.

“Don’t just show up for a crime,” LaSalle said. “Be proactive, high visibility, especially in those areas that you’ve defined as problem areas. Stop and talk. ... Get back down to grassroots.

“If you know who you’re policing, it definitely makes a difference. If you know your community, your community will work with you. No police department is successful unless they have the backing of citizens of who they police.

“You can judge the effectiveness of law enforcement by citizen participation.”

LaSalle said the Patterson Police Department appreciates the outreach of local business owners and community members for showing their support of officers.

“I worked very hard to make people know that I am where it stops,” LaSalle said. “So, I’m going to train (officers) the right way. I am deeply grateful for the community’s support.”

Approximately 60 officers attended the training. The following law enforcement agencies were present: Thibodaux Police, Jeanerette Police, Marshal’s office, Morgan City Police, Berwick Police, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, Baldwin Police, and Chitimacha Police.

An invitation was extended to Franklin Police Department but officers were not present.

A law enforcement forum sponsored by the NAACP will be held Aug. 18 at the Patterson Civic Center. It’s for law enforcement officials and residents to discuss solutions for resolving problems parishwide .