The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Training Academy held a graduation ceremony for 15 law enforcement officers from 6 area agencies at the academy headquarters in Plain Dealing on Friday, November 8th. Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington hosted the class as recruits from BPSTA Class 032 completed 16 weeks of training to officially become P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified law enforcement officers. Their training consisted of learning a myriad of skills to include legal issues, weapons qualifications, physical fitness, non-lethal force, officer survival skills, and much more. The graduates will report to their respective agencies for assignments and follow-up training.
The guest speaker for the event was Captain Sarah Rhodes. Captain Rhodes, also known as Doctor Rhodes, has been the Academy Director for the past 6 years at the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Training Academy. As of today, Captain Rhodes has served her last academy class for the Bossier Sheriff’s Office and will be taking on the role as Director of Training for the Travis County Sheriff’s Office in Travis County, Texas.
Captain Rhodes stressed to the academy graduates the importance of taking care of one’s self physically and mentally to be able to better serve their communities. She also spoke about the importance of always remaining humble and showing respect to the ones they will serve.
The academy staff is comprised of director Capt. Sarah Rhodes and staff – Lt. Clint Robins, Lt. Robert Teague, Lt. Mickey Rellin, Sgt. Joey Bowen, Sgt. Justin Hutchens, Sgt. Corey MacIsaac, Corporal Lynette Avery, Corporal Matthew Bertrand, Dep. Bruce Teutsch, Dep. Al Langley, Dep. Kenny Viola, and Miss Dana Brossett.
Sgt. Justin Hutchens presented four academy awards to the recruits:
• Physical Fitness Award – Officer Douglas Motely, Bossier City Police Department
• Firearms Proficiency Award – Deputy Donald Ferguson, Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office
• Academic Award – Deputy Donald Ferguson, Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office
• Honor Graduate Award – Officer Robert Broussard, Bossier City Police Department
The graduating class of BPSTA Class 032 is:
Benton Police Department
Mitchell Mora
Bossier City Police Department
Robert Broussard
David Kowaleski
Douglas Motley
Damian Rosa
Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office
Scott Colvin
Terrance Danford
Austin Deshautelle
Caleb Goins
Brigit Johnston
Kerry Mitchell
Emiliano Morales
Minden Police Department
Jessica Thompson
Northwestern State University Police Department
Donterry Colombel, Jr.
Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office
Donald Ferguson (Class President)
The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Training Academy, formerly known as the North Louisiana Criminal Justice Academy, held its first graduation in 2009. Over the past 15 years, instructors have trained more than 600 recruits to become POST-certified law enforcement officers. BPSTA Class 033 begins training in January of 2025.