Stacey Tinsley | Bossier Press-Tribune
On Friday May 8, Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington stood before deputies, parish leaders and community members as he officially opened the agency’s new Criminal Operations Building — a project he described as an investment in both public safety and the future of law enforcement in Bossier Parish.
Located on Burt Boulevard in Benton, the multimillion-dollar facility will now serve as the central hub for the department’s Criminal Division, housing patrol deputies, detectives, criminal investigators and Crime Scene Investigation personnel under one roof.
“This building is more than brick and mortar,” Whittington said during Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It is a commitment to the citizens of Bossier Parish.”
The new facility was designed to help deputies and investigators respond to crime more efficiently by improving communication and coordination between divisions. Sheriff’s officials say the updated building will streamline investigations, improve evidence processing and provide deputies with modern resources needed to combat increasingly complex criminal activity.
One of the key additions is a state-of-the-art crime laboratory that will assist investigators with advanced forensic work, including crime scene processing and cellular phone forensic investigations. Expanded evidence storage areas and updated investigative workspaces are also expected to improve case management and strengthen the department’s ability to solve crimes quickly and accurately.
As Bossier Parish continues to grow, officials said the new building will help law enforcement stay ahead of increasing public safety demands.
“For years, our Criminal Division operated in facilities that no longer met the growing demands of modern law enforcement,” Whittington said. “Today, we open a building that positions us for the future and strengthens our ability to serve this community with excellence.”
The project first began in November 2023 when contracts were signed to redevelop the original structure. As construction plans progressed, the project expanded to include additional secure evidence storage and larger operational areas to meet long-term departmental needs.
Funding for the facility came through sheriff office capital funding combined with Louisiana Capital Outlay assistance.
In addition to supporting criminal investigations, the building will also provide direct services to the public. Residents will be able to file reports, pay fines and property taxes and access departmental services in a modernized environment designed for greater accessibility and efficiency.
Community leaders attending the ceremony praised the investment, noting that public safety remains one of the parish’s most important priorities. Visitors were also given tours of the new facility following the ribbon cutting.
The building reflects the sheriff office’s long-standing motto of being “Courteous, Professional and Responsive,” while equipping deputies with updated technology and infrastructure aimed at improving their ability to protect the community.
For many in attendance Friday, the opening represented more than a new building. It symbolized the continued evolution of law enforcement in Bossier Parish and a renewed commitment to keeping residents safe in an ever-changing world.