21st CENTURY POLICING

21st Century Policing

Trust is a critical element between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve in a democracy. It is vital for maintaining stability in Louisiana's various communities, preserving the integrity of the criminal justice system, and delivering safe and effective policing services. President Barack Obama established the Task Force on 21st Century Policing on Dec. 18, 2014, recognizing the importance of this issue. The task force was tasked with identifying best practices and providing recommendations to improve policing practices, reduce crime effectively, and build public trust. The Louisiana State Police (LSP) continually reviews these recommendations and aligns its practices with the best practices outlined in the report released by the task force. These recommendations are categorized into six pillars. Click on each pillar below to see our ongoing efforts to align our organization to 21st Century Policing practices.

Six Pillars

Click on the pillars below to learn more and to see how Louisiana State Police is working to improve and achieve each of them.

Pillar 1

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Pillar 2

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Pillar 3

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Pillar 4

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Pillar 5

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Pillar 6

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Pillar 1: Building Trust and Legitimacy

The cornerstone of the relationship between the Louisiana State Police and the citizens of Louisiana is trust and legitimacy. We understand that people are more likely to comply with the law when they perceive those enforcing it to have legitimate authority. Therefore, we have adopted procedural justice as a guiding principle and are working tirelessly to establish a culture of transparency and accountability to build trust and legitimacy within our agency and with the public.

Here are some ways we are working to build trust and legitimacy:


Pillar 2: Policy and Oversight

Pillar two emphasizes the importance of law enforcement agencies collaborating with community members to develop policies and strategies that reflect community values, especially in communities disproportionately affected by crime. LSP is continually reviewing and revising policies to appropriately cover the use of force, mass demonstrations, consent before searches, gender identification, racial profiling, and performance measures. Additionally, we are committed to making policies publicly available to ensure transparency.

Here are some ways we are working to improve our policies and accountability:


Pillar 3: Technology and Social Media

Pillar three focuses on the implementation, use, and evaluation of technology and social media. The use of technology can be a game-changer for law enforcement, improving practices and building trust with the community. However, it's crucial to have a well-defined policy framework in place, with clear goals and purposes, before implementing any new technology. We are continually evaluating new technologies and using a systematic process to implement the ones we feel will pave the way for the future of our organization.

Here are some ways we are working to improve our daily operations by harnessing the power of technology and social media:


Pillar 4: Community Policing and Crime Reduction

The fourth pillar emphasizes the significance of community policing as a fundamental principle for all parties involved. LSP is working to partner with residents to co-create a safer environment. Plans are being developed to collaborate with community members to recognize issues and work together to find effective solutions.

Here are some ways we are working with the community to make Louisiana a safer place to live and visit:

 

Pillar 5: Officer Training and Education

The fifth pillar emphasizes the education and training requirements of law enforcement. We recognize that the quality and efficacy of our training programs are critical to ensuring that our officers are equipped to serve and protect our communities. LSP will involve subject matter experts from various communities and our organization in the training process. Furthermore, we will expand the quantity and quality of leadership training opportunities available to ensure we are employing a team of highly skilled leaders with relevant knowledge and a keen understanding of the issues facing Louisiana.  Here are some of the measures we are taking to ensure the quality of our training and education programs.

Here are some ways we are setting a high standard for training our troopers:


Pillar 6: Officer Wellness and Safety

The sixth pillar emphasizes the critical importance of promoting and implementing officer wellness and safety. This is not only for the well-being of troopers but also for the safety of the public. Achieving this goal requires collaboration among stakeholders, and the Louisiana State Police has taken several measures to support its troopers.

Here are some of the steps we are taking to promote and ensure trooper wellness:


LSP is committed to promoting and implementing officer wellness and safety. By providing troopers with the necessary resources and support; the LSP will continually evaluate ways troopers are supported to ensure they are equipped to perform their duties safely and effectively.