Sheriff stresses need for discipline in his ranks

St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidoz talked about discipline and other subjects at a meeting of the Eunice Rotary Club on Wednesday. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)
Sheriff stresses need for discipline in his ranks
Guidroz also comments on election of former Capt. Clay Higgins
By Harlan Kirgan
Editor
Discipline in the ranks is a key issue for St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz, who spoke to the Eunice Rotary Club.
“My experience as a law enforcement officer has taught me that progress is not determined by the passing of an hour. Progress is made because people of goodwill, commitment and discipline apply themselves to doing the right things, the right way and for the right reason,” he said.
Guidroz, who was first elected as sheriff in 2006, explained he started as a police officer in Port Barre, followed by nearly 30 years with Louisiana State Police.
“I listen to complaints from people,” he said. “Many are legitimate. Many are very legitimate. So, it takes a lot of my time and I will continue to take complaints.”
Guidroz said, “We have body cameras today that document and I tell my officers ‘put it on.’ Get into the habit. When you go to an incident, click it on because if you don’t then you are going to be suspect to doing or saying something you should not have done or said.”
The body cameras are a part of a changing reality for law enforcement that has occurred in the past 10 years “and will change drastically in the next 10,” he said.
Technology changes include computers and cell phones.
“We have equipment and personnel that can retrieve evidence from cell phones and computers and it makes no difference if they deleted everything in it...,” he said.
The technology even extends to the use of drones, he said.
But the biggest change may be the relationship between law enforcement and the public.
“We have more tension and animosity between law enforcement and the public today than 10 years ago,” Guidroz said.
Officers are better trained today than they were 10 years ago, he said.
“Sadly though we have more law enforcement officers today that need a tighter rein on them than 10 years ago. Many of our officers today believe that orders, policies and procedures and laws should not apply to them when they are doing their job,” he said.
Guidroz said he graduated from the Louisiana State Police and FBI academies.
During State Police training Guidroz said it was impressed on trainees to be professional and do the job without retaliation even in the face of provocation.
Today, trainees are taught to watch their back in every aspect of the job.
“The are intimated,” he said of the graduates who have to ride three months with a training officer “to take some of that mess” out of their heads.
But the sheriff believes the academies generally do a great job in preparing officers.
“Our assault weapons back in the 70s and 80s were a .38-caliber, six-shot police special and a 12 gauge Ithaca shotgun,” he said.
Today’s officers carry up to 60 lbs. of gear on their belts, he said.
The weapons include a Taser, pepper spray, a semi-automatic .40-caliber 15-shot pistol and a heavy-duty flashlight baton. In addition, officers may access to a AR-15 rifle.
“We have a split second to make a decision on which weapon to grab,” he said.
“If I don’t have discipline, if I’m not trained with all this gear, who is in trouble? You.
“I may be too if I don’t follow the proper procedures.”
Guidroz added, “I firmly believe, especially for law enforcement agency, in order to be successful we must be disciplined.”
The need for discipline includes other endeavors, he said.
“If your people run around and do as they wish and don’t follow the rules and laws and policies and procedures like you expected them to, you are not going to be successful,” he said.
When he campaigned for the sheriff’s office he committed to a higher standard for the office, he said.
But even with higher standards, Guidroz said he expects deputies will deviate from the standards.
Describing himself as the disciplinarian, Guidroz said, “I believe some of my corrections, some of my deputies, are going to do something really stupid again and I’m going to have to take action.”
There have been 10 officers arrested in the past 10 years, he said.
Other comments by Guidroz included:
— Ninety percent of crime is related to drugs.
— Those with information about illegal drugs are often afraid to contact law enforcement.
— People are allowed to carry a weapon in their vehicle, but, if stopped by a law enforcement officer, should inform the officer about the weapon.