Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T)

 

SPECIAL OPERATIONS DIVISION ( Under the Direction of Lt. Graig Leblanc )

The Opelousas Police Department’s Special Operations Division’s mission is to prevent criminal activity within the City of Opelousas through fair and impartial investigations. Unit members seek to detect and prevent criminal behavior within the city.  The section was created in 1991 by Chief Larry Callier Sr. when he took over as Chief of Police.  The unit manages all criminal investigations.  The unit investigates all matters that are criminal in 

nature, life threatening situations, or emergencies or other occurrences as directed by the Chief of Police.  This unit is referred to as the Special Operations Division because of the multiple responsibilities that each individual has to endure during a day’s course.  

This Sections has adopted the D.R.I.V.E concept which has allowed them to excel in their field:

• D - Drive
• R - Responsibility
• I - Integrity
• V - Vision
• E - Expansion

This section is responsible for investigating property crimes as well as crimes against persons.  In other departments these crimes are usually investigated by two different groups of investigators.  Property Crimes include: Theft, Burglary, Auto Theft, Forgery/Counterfeiting, Embezzlement, Extortion, Financial Crimes, and Vandalism.  Crimes against persons include: Homicide, Suicide, Rape, Kidnapping, Assault, Aggravated Assault, Robbery, Sex Motivated Crimes, Internet Sex Crimes, and any Questionable Deaths.  This section is also responsible for assisting outside agencies in Homicide Investigations and other felony grade offenses of mutual interest.   

Since Chief Gallow’s inception this section has gone through a host of training sessions throughout the state of Louisiana and Texas.  The trainings were hosted by area agencies and are sponsored by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and POST (Peace Officers Standards and Training).  The training was free to the department and did not cost the city or its tax payers anything.  Chief Gallow is committed to keeping the department up to date in the most effective and efficient training and equipment.  The Special Operations Division consists of five investigators that have the knowledge to handle a multitude of crime and are all specialized or are in the process of being specialized in specific crimes.  These officers work everything from minor crimes that require time consuming investigation to major crimes that require the utmost attention to detail. 

Two of the investigators completed in May of 2009 training on Deviant Sexual Behavior and Related Criminal Activity in Lake Charles, La.  This course presented both basic and advanced investigative concepts for those involved in the management as well as the investigation of these types of crimes.   Upon the completion of the course the two officers returned qualified not only to investigate these types of crimes but to assume a leadership role in the supervision and management of these cases. 

Two other investigators attended an Interview and interrogation for Drug and Street Gang Enforcement Officers in Pearl River, La. This course focused on truly advanced interview and interrogation techniques to provide the drug enforcement officer with the skills necessary to gain high quality information from individuals no matter what their status in an investigation or operation.  Emphasis was placed on skill development that will equip the officer with the framework to expand his/her ability to extract accurate information from witnesses, victims, and informants.  Their ability to discern truth from deception was sharpened.  Upon completion of this course the officers developed the skills necessary to communicate more effectively on all levels, but most importantly they have greatly strengthened their overall interview and interrogation techniques. 

Two of the investigators have also attended an Advanced Gang Investigation in Lafayette, LA.  This course focused on identifying potential street gang development and to gain knowledge of gang traits such as unity and identification which are reinforced by wearing of colors, symbols, tattoos, and displaying of hand signs. 

Two of these investigators have also attended an Advanced Latent Fingerprints course hosted in Walker, LA.  This course focused on the recovery of latent fingerprints from the scene of a crime which is one of the most important avenues of evidence recovery available to modern day law enforcement.  A single fingerprint, properly recovered, can make or break any important case.  Time and time again police and prosecutors have depended on the evidence of a latent fingerprint.  Even more vital is the comparison of these recovered latent fingerprints with known standards, thus making the case and putting the criminal behind bars.  This course explored the avenues of latent fingerprint recovery and comparison.

Two of these investigators also attended a course for Digital Photography for Law Enforcement hosted by Acadia Parish S.O.  This course of instruction was for the purpose of guiding the officer through the proper use of their departmentally issued digital camera, documentation of crime scenes and specific evidence with their camera, and how to process and properly archive the resulting computer images for courtroom purpose. 

And finally one of these investigators attended the Advanced Homicide Investigation course also hosted by Acadia Parish S.O. This was an intensive course focusing on practical and efficient investigative tools and techniques. This officer learned the various aspects of death investigations and the use of sound, professional investigative procedures

In the mist of all this training these officer have managed to solve several major residential burglaries resulting in the arrest of at lest eight juvenile offenders dating back to January 2009 until the latest arrest in June 2009 officers were able to recover over the course of this time at least ten thousand dollars worth of merchandise stolen from residences throughout the city of Opelousas.  Officers have been able to recover a stolen Cadillac from Desi Motor which led to the arrest of at least four juveniles who were not only responsible for the theft of that Cadillac but the theft and damage to several vehicles at Bordelon Motors.  These juveniles are multiple offenders and are our number one problem at the moment.  Chief Gallow has pledged to make this city one of the safest cities in the Acadiana Area.

PATROL DIVISION

The patrol division is the “backbone” of the department. These men and women are generally the first responders regarding calls for service. These services rendered could be as simple as jump starting a car or, as horrendous as a being the first to arrive on the scene of a murder. The patrolman must provide a detailed report of the incident which gives the prosecutor and or the judge a clear indication of the events of the incident.  

The patrolman may not be able to complete the investigation, which is another important reason why his/her report must be detailed enough to give the investigator the ability to complete the investigation. They are the men/women who protect your life and property while you are asleep, at work, or on vacation. The patrol division has undergone advanced training in accident investigation, felony traffic stops, fingerprinting, drug interdiction, D.U.I., firearms, officer survival, and domestic abuse, all of which are so important in keeping both the officer and the public safe. Patrolman are all provided a lap top computer to complete both incident and accident reports. Statements/traffic tickets are virtually the only documents that will be hand written. The patrol division is continuously advancing its technology which allows for a more efficient officer. These men and women understand the importance of being proactive demonstrated by their aggressive patrols of both the residential and business community. 

The patrol division like every other division within OPD, take pride and understand their role in enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Opelousas. The patrol division is responsible for twenty four hour patrols of the city which consist of twelve hour shifts for two weeks at 0600-1800 followed by two weeks at 1800-0600 hours. 

OPD patrol division consists of four teams (A, B, C, and D): OPD Patrol Team consists of a Lieutenant, Two Sergeants, Five Patrolman and Two Dispatchers.  

Each team is commanded by a Captain.

CRIME SUPPRESSION TEAM ( C.S.T) ( Under the Direction of Capt. Mark Guidry )

The Opelousas Police Department’s C.S.T. team, a brainchild of Chief Perry Gallow officially became a full time unit in July of 2008. The C.S.T. operated on a part time basis for several months early in Chief Gallow’s administration. After observing the outstanding results the part time C.S.T. were capable of, Chief Gallow made the decision that a full time team was a necessary addition to the O.P.D. arsenal. Based on an evaluation of the many officers who were appointed during the part time phase of the C.S.T., the highly motivated and aggressive unit was formed into a full time team commanded by Capt. Mark Guidry and assisted by Sgt. Roylis “Ricky” Gallow. The C.S.T. marked the first time in O.P.D. history that a unit was solely dedicated to narcotic investigation at all levels. It was a well established fact that the level of narcotics trafficking and its use in any city adversely affects its crime rates in all major statistically documented crimes. Implemented in the formation of the C.S.T. was adding the department’s K-9 core to the team. The addition of the highly trained narcotics detection and criminal apprehension K-9’s added the final element to the elite unit. The C.S.T. assist both patrol and investigative divisions, by providing valuable information as well as manpower whenever needed. This team of highly motivated officers who displayed commitment, dedication, as well as an above average interest in working narcotics along with fighting any and all crimes that severely affect public safety and the quality of life in our neighborhoods, rolled up their sleeves and went to work.

The C.S.T. compiled some very impressive stats during its first six months of full time duty. The C.S.T. team logged over 250 narcotic arrests and seized over $250,000.00 in cash and vehicles during that time period. The highlight of the first six months tour, in which information was supplied to the C.S.T. resulted in a joint operation with St. Landry Parish Drug Task Force, which resulted in a major drug seizure. This seizure culminated narcotics totaling 70 pounds of marijuana, 1-kilo of cocaine, and 6 ounces of the dangerous PCP. The joint operation stopped well over $200,000.00 of narcotics from “hitting” the streets of Opelousas as well as the rest of St. Landry parish. In another large operation the C.S.T. led by Sgt. Roylis Gallow and later assisted by SLPSO drug task force, seized approx. 45 pounds of marijuana and close to $85,000.00 in cash from a local business. A total of four people were arrested in these two major operations.

The affect of having the full time team led to greatly reducing our overall call volume and a decrease in certain crimes. The C.S.T. also conducted a “sting” targeting individuals involved in prostitution which was directly related to drug use by many of those arrested in the operation.

The field supervision of the C.S.T. has been turned over to Sgt. Paul Cortez due to the untimely death of a “Great One” Sgt. Roylis Gallow who led this team since its inception. The C.S.T. under the direction of Chief Gallow will continue to strive to make Opelousas as safe and drug free as possible.

MOTORCYCLE DIVISION ( Under the Direction of Lt. Calvin Fontenot )

The Motorcycle Division of the Opelousas Police Department is responsible for all escorts through the City of Opelousas. Funeral escorts are part of the daily routine of the division. Officers of the Motorcycle Division work many parade details throughout the year, assisting other agencies as well as parades within the city limits. Traffic enforcement is one of the primary duties of the Motorcycle Division.

 

SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS (S.W.A.T) ( Under the Direction of Lt. Frank Boudreaux )

SWAT responds upon the request of the Commander of the Patrol Division to barricade/hostage episodes, and/or suicide intervention, as well as initiate service of high risk warrants for all Department entities.

The Commander of the Patrol Division shall request SWAT when at a barricaded or hostage incident when the suspect is probably armed; the suspect is believed to have been involved in a criminal act or sis a significant threat to the lives and safety of the public and/or police; the suspect is in a position of advantage, affording cover and concealment or is contained in an open area and the presence or approach of police officers could precipitate an adverse reaction by the suspect; and, the suspect refuses to submit to arrest.

The Opelousas Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) has provided a ready response to situations that were beyond the capabilities of normally equipped and trained Department personnel. Since its inception, OPD SWAT Team members have affected the safe rescue of numerous hostages, arrested scores of violent suspects and earned many of commendations and citations. The need for SWAT expertise and assistance with warrant service is dependent upon: unusual circumstances beyond the capabilities of normal warrant service; heavily fortified location; weapons are present and have been used in the past; gang members are known to be present; use of diversionary tactics is anticipated; and, door and window pulls are anticipated.