1. I am a Lifetime Law Enforcement Officer. I have worn a Uniform for 33 years.
Having worn a uniform for 33 years, I have watched and understand that times have changed for everyone, including law enforcement, as well as our juveniles and what they face. Having been a Deputy with Pike County, a Louisiana State Trooper, and a Deputy with the Natchitoches City Marshal’s Office, I have grown with the changes and know that sometimes change is needed.
I have graduated from 2 Law Enforcement Academies and have thousands of hours of hands-on law enforcement training. I was a Field Training Officer for the LSP for 23 years, so I also understand the importance of training.
I also understand that communication within your department as well as with the community is vital to a successful Sheriff ’s Office.
2.Yes. Would work on a pay structure so the deputies could see the benefits of staying at NPSO and by recruiting individuals that have the desire and passion to put on a uniform daily to serve the citizens of Natchitoches Parish, as well as visitors in our parish, and those just passing through our parish.
All law enforcement agencies can use more personnel, NPSO is not any different. It would be ideal to have a patrol unit in every community, as long as the budget will allow while still being a good steward of the people of Natchitoches Parish’s money.
3.Community Relations- I want to be a Sheriff that serves our people, both spending our tax dollars wisely in keeping our community safe but also being a visible Sheriff that our citizens can reach out to and express their concerns.
I will actively visit Natchitoches Parish and listen to the concerns of our citizens. Our Deputies will be focused on personally knowing and greeting the people in the areas they patrol in addition to answering calls for service. We are one community and one community focused on the safety and security of all.
Detention Center-I will work with LA Department of Corrections and Federal Agencies to ensure that the Detention Center is staffed appropriately for the number of offenders that are incarcerated. I will work with LA DOC to bring back programs such as Work Release and Litter Abatement.
Mike Wilson
1. I am the most qualified candidate because of my thirty plus year commitment with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff ’s Office. During my career at the NPSO, I had the opportunity to work in several divisions and was able to gain valuable insight into the internal workings of the Natchitoches Sheriff ’s Office.
I began my career in the Communications Division, I then transferred to the Patrol Division and then to the Investigations Division, where I served as the Assistant Chief investigator for approximately eighteen years. I concluded my career in the patrol division where I achieved the rank of Lieutenant/Shift Commander.
Due to me having worked in the key areas of the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff ’s Office and throughout the entire parish, I have gained valuable experience. Experience needed to help guide and move the NPSO forward. I will not just be a Sheriff. I will work alongside my deputies to make our parish safer.
2. Because of my over thirty years in law enforcement, I understand the phrase “safety in numbers.” I unfortunately have had to work with only three deputies covering this entire parish. Not only was it unsafe for the deputies, but it was especially unsafe for the citizens of this parish.
I will work tirelessly to ensure we have ample protection on our streets. Thanks to our citizens going and passing taxes in the past, we have the financial means to have adequate protection. I will make sure those funds are spent wisely and once we hire qualified and committed deputies, we retain them. Too many of our deputies have left and continued their law enforcement in neighboring parishes and other areas of law enforcement, leaving us short many times.
Our problem is not the number of deputies we hire, our problem is the alarming number of deputies we are constantly losing.
3. My first priority is to restore public trust. Our citizens should be confident in proactive measures as well as reactive responses to their calls for service. I,along with my deputies, will become more engaged with the various communities. We must be more committed to the people of Natchitoches Parish in order to maintain their trust in our ability to provide professional and confident service to them.
Secondly, I will maintain highly trained and motivated School Resource Officer in the various schools throughout Natchitoches Parish. Our children deserve to be able to learn and grow in a safe environment. Our children’s parents should be able to carry on with their daily affairs and not worry about their child being safe at their school.
Stuart Wright
1.I am the most qualified candidate for Sheriff because of my successful record as Sheriff for the past 3 years. I am proud of our accomplishments and proud of our team that carries out our mission. Also, my extensive experience in the criminal justice system, spanning 28 years as the First Assistant District Attorney which provides me with invaluable insights into the workings of our legal system. Moreover, my 35year tenure as a practicing attorney prepared me to manage, administer, and lead our team.
Having spent 8 years as in-house counsel for the Sheriff ’s office under Sheriff Victor Jones, I am wellacquainted with our personnel, which enabled me to seamlessly transition into the office in 2020 after I was elected. I am proud to have worked for Sheriff Jones who is also a close personal friend. His endorsement of my re-election campaign speaks volumes about my capabilities and leadership.
2.. I am committed to continue the effort to enhance public safety. During my tenure, I’ve already demonstrated my dedication to this by increasing our Patrol deputies on the roads by 40%, which significantly increased the law enforcement presence in our parish. And, our enhanced technology investments allows us to respond faster and with more information about the call prior to arriving on scene.
Also, I am committed to recruiting and retaining exceptional law enforcement professionals to be on our team. To address this, we raised the starting salary of a patrol deputy from $24,000 to $39,000, ensuring that we attract and retain top talent. Furthermore, I’ve championed three pay raises for everyone in the department, acknowledging their hard work and dedication. By investing in our deputies, we can maintain a strong and capable force, which is essential for the safety and security of Natchitoches Parish.
3. The safety and security of our schools are of paramount importance. I am committed to making sure that all SRO deputies positions are filled. Our children deserve a safe and supportive learning environment, and having well-trained officers in our schools is crucial for achieving this goal.
I will work closely with educational institutions to maintain strong partnerships that prioritize the safety and well-being of our students. Secondly, recruiting and retaining top talent will be my next biggest priority. My next priority to continue supporting the professional development of our team — through training, career progression, salary and benefits, and providing the necessary tools and equipment they need to serve our parish.