Celebrate Central’s Volunteer Police

By Mia Freneaux

    Our city has the benefit of the knowledge and experience of 10 volunteer officers at its disposal through our Central Police Department. Working under the auspices of Chief Doug Browning, these officers spend at least 20 hours a month volunteering their time and expertise to our city, though Chief Browning says many of them end up working 40 hours.  Combined, these officers have over 196 years of experience in law enforcement!

    Officer Jeff Behrnes has worked with the St. Francisville Police Department for 12 years on Law Enforcement Patrol and as a Firearms Instructor.  He has been with the CCPD for 4 years.

    Reserve Commander Gene Cobb worked full time with Law Enforcement Patrol and was a Firearms Instructor with the EBRP Sheriff’s Office. He recently retired as Commander of the Reserve Deputies. He has been with the CCPD for 4 years.

    Officer Steve Cottano has been with Law Enforcement Reserve for 2 years, and has been with the CCPD for 6 months.

    Officer Shane Evans worked on Law Enforcement Patrol, SWAT, Narcotics and Flotilla with the EBRP Sheriff’s Office. He also worked with the Inspector General. He is presently employed full time with the Coroner’s Office. He has been with the CCPD for 4 years.

    Officer Tommy Guidry works full time with the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office in Law Enforcement and as a Civil and Corrections Officer. He has been with the CCPD for 1 year.

    Officer Gene Hebert worked 32 years on Law Enforcement Patrol and Flotilla with the EBRP Sheriff’s Office and is now in the Reserve. He has been with the CCPD for 4 years.

    Officer Gordon Hutchinson worked for 25 years on Law Enforcement Patrol and as a Detective and Firearms Instructor with the EBRP Sheriff’s Office. He is now serving in the Reserve and has been with the CCPD for 4 years.

    Officer James Salsbury worked for 30 years with the Baton Rouge Police Department in Law Enforcement and Investigation. He has been with the CCPD for 1 year.

    Officer Jason Salsbury has worked with the Constable’s Office, and is serving with the Baton Rouge Police Department as Computer Technician. He has spent 8 years with the EMS as a Computer Technician and graduated from the Baker Police Academy. He has been with CCPD for 1 year.

    Officer Doug Stracener was with the EBRP Sheriff’s Office for 23 years in Law Enforcement and Flotilla. He is a Post Law Enforcement Instructor and a certified Motorcycle Instructor, a certified Pilot and Diver, and an Attorney! He has served for 1 year with the CCPD.

    Chief Browning deliberately chose these men for their expertise in a wide variety of Law Enforcement fields. He feels they each bring skills and knowledge that enhance our CCPD in unique ways. In addition, they were selected for what Chief calls “the right demeanor and desire to help.”  “Each of my officers wants to do what’s right,” Chief Browning states. “That’s what we need here in Central.”

    Chief Browning himself has been busy writing grants that have secured our police department several cruisers, computers for the 5 units, and radios at little or no charge to the taxpayer. He and the District Attorney have worked out a system to prosecute criminals the CCPD charges, and are in a sharing program for various sources of information. He has completed work at the Station on the Courtroom, the Records Room, and the Evidence Room. Both the Records Room and the Evidence Room are locked and wired for alarm at all times. His goal is to create a Police Department that has the foundation it needs to meet any challenge.