Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Police

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Atchafalaya Basin Levee District Police Department

GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTON:

The term "Levee District" does not mean the levees, but a geographical area that is defined by state law and includes all of the land and water area within the parishes, not just the levees. Levee districts are comprised of several parishes for each district and extend into more than one State Police Troop area.

MISSION:

The Levee District Police are a state law enforcement service division whose duties aid and support all law enforcement agencies efforts. This is responsible law enforcement work for the protection of life and property. This agency primarily serves Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Mary, St. Martin, Assumption, Ascension, Iberville, Iberia, and West Baton Rouge Parishes.

"Levee District Police" is the official state legislated name given to police officers under the State's classified service and commissioned as peace officers by the Department of Public Safety, Office of the State Police as required by law, under Title 38:326 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. These Police Officers are responsible for maintaining order and exercising general police power. They possess statewide arrest and investigatory power to enforce all laws as state peace officers as provided by their State Police authority. Levee District Police provide for general law enforcement and are responsible for the enforcement of all state laws including Title 14 (Criminal Code), Title 32 (Highway Regulatory Laws), Title 40 (Narcotics and Illegal Weapons), Title 30 (Environmental laws), Title 34 (Boating Safety), Title 56 (Fish and Game Laws), Title 25 (Compulsory Insurance Violations), and Title 38 (Levee District Laws).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Job duties include patrolling an assigned area, which may consist of several parishes, either overtly (uniformed) or covertly (undercover). Officers generally work independently to detect law violations.

Levee District Police check motorists, pedestrians, hunters, fishermen, boaters, and commercial operations in order to insure compliance with state law. Officers respond to emergency police calls or a regular basis and intervene independently, when necessary, to restore order, protect life and property and prevent crime. Levee District Police apprehend criminal violators through observation, investigation, and complaints. Levee District Police enforce motor vehicle laws, direct traffic, and investigate accidents.

Another important function of the Levee District Police is the safeguarding of the protective system along the Mississippi and Atchafalaya waterways from criminal activities according to the Federal Rivers and Harbors Act. Sabotage during high water flooding could result in the loss of thousands of lives and damage to millions of dollars worth of property.

ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY:

A Levee District Police Officer shall conduct regular day and night patrols of his/her assigned area by appropriate means; boat, auto, airplane, atv, foot, etc. to prevent and detect violations of law. He/she will interpret state laws to individuals encountered on patrols, make necessary arrests of violators, make reports of his findings and appear in court proceedings when required as a witness in cases brought to trial.

PERMIT ENFORCEMENT/INSPECTION:

Levee District Police are notified by the proper authorities of any activity, which has been officially permitted within a district. Those activities occurring within a district are observed during routine patrols and notation of the observations are recorded in daily reports. All non-permitted activities are controlled on the scene.

Levee District Police regulates commercial and private operations, which includes any explosive detonation. They regulate and monitor all land and waterway use activities which includes and special events such as fireworks, boat races, the making of motion pictures, etc.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE:

During periods of natural or man-made disasters, the Levee District Police may be assigned regular and reconnaissance patrol duties. They may also be assigned special duties, such as crowd control and traffic management, communication center operations, command post operations, emergency courier service, and search and rescue activities.

BENEFITS:

Beginning salary up to $1511 per month for an officer with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice or related field and already P.O.S.T. certified. After the first six months of successful employment, officers are eligible for a 4% merit increase. This becomes the officer's "anniversary date". On the anniversary date, officers will be eligible for an additional 4% merit increase until they reach the maximum of the GS level, regardless of promotions. The department provides most uniforms and equipment, including individual patrol vehicles. All medical and dental insurance is provided by the employer which includes all immediate family members. Vacation and sick leave are accrued at an hourly rate. Overtime is available. Leave with pay for those of the armed forces when placed on active military duty is provided. State

retirement benefits are based on maximum salary, age of employee, and years of service.

HOW TO APPLY:

A Civil Service pre-employment application may be obtained through the Louisiana

Department of State Civil Service. Submit a pre-employment application (SF-10) to the Louisiana Department of State Civil Service either in person at the Baton Rouge or New Orleans information offices or by mail using the mailing address printed at the top of the application. This is required to take the Law Enforcement and Protective Service (LEAPS) job test. The Department of Civil Service will schedule an appointment to take the test within six weeks.

SELECTION PROCEDURES:

When a vacancy occurs, eligible applicants will be notified by mail for an interview. Applicants are interviewed to assure every possible consideration for employment. The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against anyone based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, veteran status, or any other non-merit factor in its employment practice. Applicants must undergo an extensive State Police background check. Applicants selected for employment must successfully pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen. Applicants must also submit satisfactory proof of identity and/or legal authorization to work in the United States of America. Failure to submit this proof could prohibit hiring under federal law.

DOMICILE STATUS:

Anyone applying for a position must be sure to mark only those parishes in which you're willing to live and work. It is the policy of the Levee District Police to require that a new employee live within a 10-mile radius of the district in which the vacancy is to be filled.

TRAINING:

The training program is continuous. The standard of professionalism and preparedness offered by the LDP training program is established by the Peace Officer Standard Training Council.