By Pat Culverhouse

A Minden Police Department that’s constantly evolving with an eye on high morale, increased training and improved equipment and technology was highlighted Thursday by Chief of Police Jared McIver for members of the Minden Lions Club.

McIver, who was elected chief in 2022, said changes he’s implemented since taking office were made possible by a foundation laid by his predecessor.

“A foundation to build on has to be strong and I want to say thank you to Chief (Steve) Cropper for laying that foundation,” McIver said. “He doesn’t get enough praise for what he accomplished. I also appreciate his faith in me to take the office.”

McIver said one of the first issues the department addressed was gang activity. He told the Lions that in the previous year there was lots of talk of gangs, reports of gunshots, drive-by shootings and other gang activities. That issue, he said, was targeted by suggestions from his administrative team.

“Our command staff had the idea to stack our most proactive officers on the two night shifts, and from there it was hammer down,” he said. “Our guys did their jobs and did it well. Now we hear that gang members we’re looking for are out of our town, in other places. They left.”

McIver said more than two dozen gang members have been arrested, are beginning to make court appearances “…and they’re getting prison time. We had a good plan and it came together.”

One big reason things are going well at the MPD is manpower. In a time when many law enforcement agencies are looking at seriously decreased numbers, Minden’s department is fully staffed, McIver said.

“That’s unheard of practically anywhere you go,” he told Lions members. “Go anywhere and you will find shortages. How are we doing that? First, I give praise to God. Then, there are the things we do for our officers.”

Minden’s department includes 31 full-time officers plus dispatchers and reserves. Inside the structure are three full-time detectives and two full-time narcotics officers.

McIver’s command staff, which is heavily involved in policy and support, consists of Deputy Chief Tokia Harrison, Deputy Chief Chris Cheatham and Patrol Commander Lt. Chris McClaran.

“We have two deputy chiefs because we have so many departments,” McIver explained. “Each chief has areas of responsibility and splitting responsibilities gives more attention to detail in each department. I give a lot of praise to the staff. They bring great ideas to the table.”

McIver said morale is important in any organization, especially in law enforcement. One morale booster is take-home police vehicles for all officers.

“It’s not only a morale booster, it is a deterrent. It gives us visibility…we’re in neighborhoods all over the city,” he said.

Minden’s officers are also included in many decisions that affect the department. McIver said new uniforms and the department’s uniform patches were designed by and approved by officers. Also, the design on the department’s vehicles was approved by the officers.

“We also provide all the equipment needed by our officers, and that’s something very few departments do,” McIver said. “The only thing the officers have to supply is socks and underwear.”

A big part of successful law enforcement is cooperation between other agencies, McIver said.

“We have a great working relationship with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, especially in narcotics investigations,” he said. “Our detectives in both departments work very well together.”

One example was the latest drug bust where the two agencies combined to successfully end a WPSO investigation which led to the seizure of a large quantity of methamphetamines, cocaine and other pills including Fentanyl.

“Those drugs were headed to Minden. Talking with some officers, they said this was the largest bust they can remember. I’m glad we were able to catch it, keep it off the street and cost drug dealers some money,” McIver said.

In response to questions, McIver said the department has an outstanding, well-trained and equipped Special Response Team (SRT) that regularly conducts exercises, including in local schools.

“We train when the children are out of school,” he said. “This gives us the opportunity to learn the layout of the school and other buildings that might be targeted.”

He also said the department is working on plans to conduct a large active shooter exercise with one of the area’s largest retailers.

“We’ve initiated talks with Walmart about a training scenario that would involve multiple agencies,” he said. “As it stands, if there was such a situation, officers would respond from across the area, but there would be no unified structure for placement or strategy. We want to train because chance favors the prepared.”

McIver also praised Minden Mayor Nick Cox and the city council for their support.

“It’s very nice to be able to work together with the mayor and council so well,” he said. “It’s been a well-oiled machine. Each time I go to the mayor he’s brainstorming for ways to help and he comes up with solutions.”