Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. Officers recently joined fellow D.A.R.E. instructors from across the state at the 35th Annual Louisiana D.A.R.E. Officers Association Training Conference, where they completed professional development and recertification training focused on continuing education, youth engagement, and strengthening the D.A.R.E. program.
Representing the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office were D.A.R.E. Coordinator Deputy Cedric Payne, Deputy Brandon Dunn, Deputy Mark Fortenberry, Deputy Marcus Hays, Deputy Ronald Crook, Deputy Sarah Laurent, Deputy Danny Soliz, Deputy Jeremy Johnston Deputy Roy Rawls, Deputy Jake Brown, Deputy Traneil Barnett, Deputy Colton Hunter, Deputy Anthony Hinderberger and Deputy Jonathan Schroeder.
During the conference, several Bossier Parish D.A.R.E. officers were recognized for their years of service to the program. Deputies Brandon Dunn, Mark Fortenberry, Marcus Hays, and Ronald Crook each received 3-Year Service Awards, Deputy Sarah Laurent was recognized for 5 years of service, and D.A.R.E. Coordinator Deputy Cedric Payne received a 10-Year Service Award.
Sheriff Whittington said, “The D.A.R.E. program continues to have a meaningful impact on the lives of young people throughout Bossier Parish. Our D.A.R.E. officers are committed to building positive relationships with students while providing valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. Continued training ensures they remain prepared to make a difference in the schools and communities they serve.”
In addition to completing the required training and recertification, Bossier Parish deputies represented the agency exceptionally well throughout the conference. D.A.R.E. Coordinator Deputy Cedric Payne earned first place in the Aim Small, Miss Small pistol competition, and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office team, consisting of Deputy Cedric Payne, Deputy Marcus Hays, Deputy Danny Soliz, and Deputy Jonathan Schroeder, captured second place in the conference 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Payne was also recognized with the Best D.A.R.E. Truck award during the conference car show.
The conference concluded with another significant achievement as D.A.R.E. Coordinator Deputy Cedric Payne was sworn in as the Statewide Representative for the Louisiana D.A.R.E. Officers Association, where he will serve as a liaison and representative for D.A.R.E. officers throughout Louisiana.
The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office congratulates our D.A.R.E. officers on their accomplishments and thanks them for their continued commitment to educating, mentoring, and positively impacting the youth of Bossier Parish.