By Bonnie Culverhouse

Last week’s day-long training session for law enforcement proved successful for those attending.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said there were 155 persons registered and more attended.

“We had a lot of good comments from those who came and the public in general,” Parker said. “We want to be proactive and this is one way we can do that.”

Held at First Baptist Church, Minden Thursday, the training day included bias-based diversity training, use of force and situational awareness.

“We want to be ahead of things with our training,” Parker said. “We have our weapons, we have our spray, but one of the most important things we have on our tool belt is our knowledge and being able to respond and react to things in a split second.”

Parker said he hopes to be able to offer more training in the future. The large group that attended the free event came from 28 law enforcement agencies from Union County, Ark. to Breaux Bridge, La. First Baptist Church served free lunch.

Bossier Parish deputy Jeremy Haas from the BP training academy, conducted the training.

“He is a master instructor with the state in POST certification,” Parker said.  “Because of that, those who attended will receive a certificate on the training they can utilize toward their minimum 20 hours they’re required to have.”