Police Department Officials & Divisions
The Criminal Investigations Division is a division within the Operations Bureau of the Gretna Police Department. This division is manned by 10 officers, 1 Captain, 2 sergeant’s and 10 investigators. This division is comprised of two units: General Assignment and Narcotics Investigations.
The General Assignment Unit is responsible for investigating all major criminal offenses inclusive of homicide, armed robbery, sexual assault, child abuse, burglary and other violations of the law.
The Narcotic Investigations Unit is a proactive operation charged with the responsibility of investigating crimes involving all narcotic violation, vice and public moral crimes. This unit is also responsible for all asset seizures. This unit is a member of the Multi Jurisdictional Task Force and various other federal, state, and local task forces.
The Criminal Investigation Division is available 24 hours a day to respond to the investigative needs of the department and the citizens of Gretna.
The City of Gretna Clerk of Court Functions and Responsibilities:
The Clerk of Court is located at 327 Huey P Long, Gretna and is in operation Monday’s through Friday’s from 8:15 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. The Clerk’s Office is comprised of a Clerk of Court, Deputy Clerks, and a bailiff. The Clerk of Court’s Office is responsible for:
· Entering all misdemeanor arrests / summons cases and citations into the Clerk of Court Management System.
· Scheduling arraignments and trials on all cases to be heard by the Magistrate of the City of Gretna.
· Maintaining all magistrate court records.
· Collecting fines and fees.
· Issuing Taxi Cab Permits.
· Issuing Alcoholic Beverage Permits.
ARRAIGNMENTS ARE HELD AT GRETNA CITY HALL LOCATED AT
2ND AND HUEY P. LONG AVE., GRETNA, ON THE 2nd FLOOR
ARRAIGNMENT DAYS ARE MONDAY AND TUESDAY AT 1:00PM
The City of Gretna Clerk of Courts Office can be reached at (504) 227-7325.
This approach ensures that the officers have sufficient time to dedicate to proactive problem-solving and partnership-building efforts. This partnership opens lines of communication, and is essential in addressing local problems. They work closely with city code enforcement to help implement community cleanup programs.
The Community Policing Division actively maintains citizen and community oriented programs such as the Police Explorer Program, Citizens Police Academy, Neighborhood Watch program. The division also maintains several youth safety programs such as bicycle helmet and car seat inspections, including providing helmets and car seats to low-income families.
The Emergency Medical Services Division was incorporated into the Gretna Police Department in 1984. The Gretna Police Department EMS Division has an average response time of 1-4 minutes and averages approximately 300 responses per month. The Division has a special advantage over private ambulance services because all members are trained as police officers. There are no delays on violent scenes caused by waiting for law enforcement officers to arrive.
The EMS Division consists of 12 officers, whose qualifications range from basic Emergency Medical Technician to the Paramedic level. These officers are eligible to be trained as police officers. In addition, many officers are highly trained in various other types of rescue. All officers of the Division have 2 to 30 years experience in the emergency medical field. The Division also receives assistance from other officers of the Patrol Division who are Medical Technicians or First Responders. The Division is supervised by a Division Commander.
In addition to the Home Incarceration Program, an Alcohol Monitoring Program is administered in conjunction with the “I Can Drug Court” program in Jefferson Parish. This is the first of its kind in the United States whereby drug court defendants are also monitored through an alcohol monitoring program for the consumption of alcohol as a secondary substance abuse while completing treatment for drug abuse. This has proven to be a valuable tool for the evaluation and follow-up treatment of defendants by clinical staff and the sentencing courts.
The duties of the Patrol Division are to investigate all violations of city and state ordinances and statutes, and all applicable parish and federal statues, ordinances, and laws.
The Patrol Division enforces traffic violations and responds to all calls for service no matter what the need may be. The Patrol Division performs all the traditional functions of a motorized patrol force. In addition, the division is extremely service oriented. The philosophy of the Patrol Division is high visibility and proactive policing through officer initiated activity. The Proactive approach to policing keeps the City of Gretna one of the safest cities in the State.
The Patrol Division functions as the most visible unit of the department, aspiring to serve the community in a competent and professional manner.
They patrol in vehicles, on bicycle patrol and provide security for large events. Most reserve officers work with full-time officers, but all are qualified to patrol on their own. This program is ideal for individuals who have an established career and do not wish to make a full transition into law enforcement.
Reserve
Reserve
Reserve officers have the same police powers, wear the same uniform, receive the same level of training and perform the same as full-time officers. Reserve officers are unpaid professionals that serve the community in which they live.
For any questions about the Gretna Police Departments Reserve Division, please call Captain Sonny Burmaster.
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Court Security
The Security Division is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment to the employees and visitors to the Jefferson Parish Government Complex. This Complex consists of the office of the Jefferson Parish Council, Parish President, Parish Attorney, Parish District Attorney, Clerk of Court, Assessor, 24th. Judicial Court of Jefferson Parish, 2nd. Parish court and other government entities.
The security Division remotely monitors over 40 Jefferson Parish facilities via the internet, accessed C.C.T.V. and alarm monitoring.
The Security Division accomplishes its mission by using state-of-the-art detection equipment which includes x-ray screening, metal detectors, C.C.T.V. and computer-based access control and alarm monitoring. The Security division monitors the C.C.T.V. and alarms 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
The Security Division also assists the Jefferson Parish Bailiffs with civil and criminal trial verdicts as well as assisting with the safety of jurors as the exit the building
Information Technology
The Information Technology Division for the Gretna Police Department performs many tasks. First and foremost is the security and maintenance of the local area network, infrastructure and servers for the Gretna Police Department.
The Information Technology Division is also responsible for:
· The City of Gretna Police Department Crime cameras and their servers.
· Assisting with all Axon equipment, including body cameras, police Tasers, interview rooms and their video footage.
· Implementation and maintenance of portable police radios.
· The City of Gretna Police Department website.
· Preparation for weather-borne events in how it pertains to technology (Satellite phones, Emergency radios, etc)
· Assisting in the investigations of malicious computer crimes.
· Assisting in the technical side of investigations.
· Flight and Maintenance of all Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones).
The division also implements and maintains the mobile computers for the officers in the police units. These mobile computers allow officers complete police reports in the field and conduct wanted checks on people and vehicles.
Park Ranger
The Park Rangers patrol Mel Ott and Bellevue Parks with the mission of visitor safety. They are highly visible during the peak summer months. Park Rangers enforce city ordinances and permit compliance.Recruitment & Training
The Gretna Police Department Training Academy is one of 27 academies in the state of Louisiana certified by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (POST). The Academy operates within our Operations Bureau. The Training Division conducts basic training for new recruits as well as in-service training for members of the department and outside agencies. It is the goal of the Training Division to provide officers with top-notch training, enabling them to perform the duties of a law enforcement officer in a professional manner.
These are some of the subjects taught during basic training:
– Criminal law, constitutional law, and motor vehicle laws
– Firearms, including the revolver, semiautomatic pistol, and shotgun
– Arrest control techniques
– Accident investigation and reporting
– Report writing
– Criminal investigation techniques and courtroom testimony
– First Responder and CPR
– Radio procedures
– DUI enforcement and drug enforcement
– Physical fitness training
This is only a sampling of courses taught to recruits during basic training. Recruits receive over 550 hours of training prior to graduation from the Academy. Upon graduation from the Academy, officers are certified as law enforcement officers by the LA Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
Training is conducted at the Gretna Police Complex located at 200 Fifth Street in Gretna. Classes are conducted in a state-of-the-art classroom that is equipped with the latest audio, video and computer equipment.
The Academy provides a basic POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Level one certification for applicants seeking a career in Law Enforcement. This training is geared for persons interested in full-time employment with the Gretna Police Department. Classes are held at various times during the year. This includes a 16 week schedule, Monday through Friday from 8am – 4pm.
School Resource Officer
Their daily duties include walking hallways during and between classes, monitoring the camera system for any problems, handling student disputes, and sometimes just lending an ear. This is a multi-dimensional job that requires officers to be many things to many people.
Traffic
This division also conducts investigation for incidents such as hit and run accidents, D.W.I., fatalities, or any situation involving serious injury or death resulting from a traffic collision.
The goal of the Traffic Division is to help reduce the number of collisions citywide through an aggressive enforcement program, educational efforts, and in cooperation with the city engineers.