St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne cut the ribbon Tuesday on a $6.6 million, 35,000 square-foot complex at 220 Judge Edward A. Dufresne Parkway in Luling.
“It is the third phase of a trilogy of major construction projects, which will permanently establish the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office as a modern, progressive law enforcement agency,” Champagne said to a crowd of local and state officials, as well as employees who attended the ceremony. “I am truly grateful to everyone who has played a role in the construction of our correctional center, headquarters next door and, now, our training and special services facility here.”
Champagne said the complex represents a long desired goal to unite enforcement divisions under one roof to promote efficiency, better communication and officers better sharing case information.
The complex will house the Sheriff’s Office Training Center and Special Services operations.
Champagne said the Sheriff’s Office operates one of 12 regional Peace Officers and Standards Training (P.O.S.T.) training academies in Louisiana. The academy was in a wing of the Boutte Adult Education facility owned by the Parish School Board.
The Special Services Division, which oversees numerous community outreach and crime prevention programs, was in two locations: A modular building next to the parish courthouse and the former Lions Club building in Hahnville.
“This building symbolizes ours – and my commitment – education,” Champagne said. “In the world of law enforcement, effective training provides officers the competence to protect and serve our people in a constitutional and fair manner. And, especially in these times, it can also provide the skills which can be the difference between life and death, between going home at the end of the shift to your family or becoming a bronze plaque on the wall of our memorial next door.”
Guest speaker Mitch Javidi, founder and president of the International Academy of Public Safety, also praised Champagne’s efforts as setting the curve for excellence in training.
Champagne praised three staff members – Chief Deputy Joseph Cardella, Ret. Maj. Sam Zinna and Sgt. Douglas Carter – along with Micheal Taff with Murray Architects for three years working on the project. He also thanked Kent Lilledol, owner of Aegis Construction Co., and project manager Ray Crochet.
“We are so proud today of this facility and I don’t mean the bricks, steel and concrete,” Champagne said. “We are proud of what it stands for.”
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