Minden Police expanding regional training partnerships with neighboring departments
The Minden Police Department plans to expand its training efforts by opening many of its in-service programs to smaller law enforcement agencies throughout the region.
Police Chief Jared McIver said the initiative is designed to strengthen relationships with neighboring departments while helping agencies with limited personnel maintain required certifications and continuing education.
“We’ve sent a lot of our officers out to become instructors so they can come back and teach here,” McIver said.
McIver said he has already spoken with the chiefs of the Dixie Inn and Sibley police departments about participating in future training sessions hosted by Minden Police.
“When we start offering training, we’re going to invite those smaller departments to come,” he said. “It helps keep their officers’ credentials current and gives them access to quality instruction.”
The initiative is part of a broader philosophy McIver has emphasized since becoming chief: sharing successful ideas among agencies rather than operating independently.
McIver said statewide conferences provide opportunities for chiefs to exchange information about new technology, equipment, policies and best practices.
“I’ll ask another chief, ‘What’s working for y’all?’ They’ll ask us the same thing,” McIver said. “That exchange of information is intelligence, and it helps.”
He said departments frequently share policies, procedures and training materials that can be adapted to meet local needs.
The department recently brought members of its command staff to a statewide chiefs conference to meet directly with vendors and evaluate new equipment and technology.
Rather than relying solely on the chief’s recommendations, McIver said he wanted supervisors responsible for specific areas of the department to see the available resources firsthand.
“I wanted them to experience it themselves and tell me what they thought,” he said.
McIver said strengthening partnerships with surrounding agencies ultimately benefits public safety throughout Webster Parish by ensuring officers have access to the latest training, equipment and professional resources.
“Working together makes all of us better,” he said.