Deputies train in defensive tactics

“St. Landry Parish Ninjas.”
That’s the nickname Lt. Leon Boudreaux bestowed upon the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office’s 95 POST (Police Officer Standards and Training) certified officers and 55 corrections officers as they participated in their quarterly defensive tactics training at the Eunice Blackbelt Academy.
Classes were hosted each day last week, and anywhere from 20 to 40 officers attended the training session each day.
“It’s a learning experience,” said Christy Legros, a corrections sergeant, after she successfully pinned down her practice aggressor. “It shows everyone what they have to do and can do whenever the situation arises. It shows you how you can push yourself.”
Each year the department’s deputies must attend classes on domestic violence, sexual assault, legal update, first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, narcotic detection and identification, stress management, defensive tactics, firearm qualifications and other courses to help better serve and protect the public. Each officer is required by the state to complete 240 hours of varying training each year.
“With more training, hopefully less problems will arise during an arrest,” said Maj. Eddie Thibodeaux, a department officer and owner of Eunice Blackbelt Academy.
As one of the only departments in the area with its own full-time training staff, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office also helps to train other law enforcement agencies including the Pine Prairie, Turkey Creek and Ville Platte police departments, the Breaux Bridge Police Department Reserves and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies. The department’s training staff also teaches at regional police academies.
“Today, we are taking the things learned in class and doing a one-on-one practical,” Thibodeaux said. “We teach verbal commands to help get the person being arrested to submit peacefully. Even if you think you are being arrested in the wrong, go peacefully. Fight it in court, not with the officer.”
“If the officer must take action against the aggressor, we teach them to use their tool belt weapons and pepper spray in this class.”
This is the third or fourth year the defensive tactics training has been held at Eunice Blackbelt Academy.
The next defensive tactics training will be taught at department’s new training facility at the old Acadiana Prepatory school in Opelousas. The ribbon cutting for the new facility is slated for some time in April.