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The Tangipahoa Parish

S OHERIFF’S FFICE
Daniel H. Edwards, Sheriff

15475 Club Deluxe Road
Hammond, LA 70403
(985) 345-6150
313 E. Oak Street
Amite, LA
(985) 748-8147

9-1-1 For Emergencies
Business Office Hours

Monday-Friday
8:00am-4:00 pm

tpso.org

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

FROM SHERIFF EDWARDS

It is with great pleasure that I bring you this annual update of our work at the Tangipahoa Parish
Sheriff’s Office.  The women and men of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office have dedicated
themselves to elevating our department to new levels of service and accomplishments. 

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has been devoted to and remains instrumental in
preventing crime, protecting life and property, preserving peace, enforcing laws and ordinances
and safeguarding constitutional guarantees. We are additionally committed to the task of keeping
our courts and correctional systems safe and secure.  In an ever changing economic climate,

wacehiaerveecoounrtimnuisosuioslnybcyhapllreonvgideidngtocrkiteiceapl olanwtoepnfoofrccerimmeinnatlsaecrtviivcietisestoasthweerecsoidnetinntuseotfoosutrrivPeartiosh.

Our prima ry focusas a department is crime prevention, crime detection, offender apprehension,
and public safety. Welookforwardtocontinuingtoworkinunisonwithourcommunitytomaintain
open lines ofcommunicationallowingcommunity members and lawenforcementto worktogether as
we respectfullyupholdallthe lawsforwhichweare responsible. 

This sheriff’soffice recognizesthat ourgreatestasset is ouremployeesandthat ourdiversityisour 
strength.Thevaluesandmission ofthis agencyare carriedoutdailybythemenandwo menof thisoffice.  

Our Mission

            

Our missionat theTangipahoaParishSheriff’sOffice istoprovidethehighestqualityofpublicsafety servicesto our 
cvoismit mTaunngitiyp.aWhoeasPtraivriesht.oWmeaianrteaiinnnaosvaafteiveenavnirdonremsepnotnsthivaet enhances the quality of life for all those who live, work and
community to solve issues of mutual concern. to the needs of those we serve and work in partnership with our

Our CoreValues 

 HONESTY, LOYALTY,DIVERSITY,COMMUNITY,SUSTAINABILITY.

Although “Duty” is notconsideredacore value, it isagrounding principaltha tembracesanuncommonsenseofresponsibility.  At the
Tangipahoa Parish Sahcteiorinff’fsoOrftfhiceepweoepaleccoofmTpalnisghipoauhrodauPtayrwishit.h  compassion,sincerityandtransparency. Our“Hustle”iswhatalso propels this
sheriff’s office into

2015 was definitely another yearpackedwithaccomplishments. 

• As promised, we earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies to become one of

only foursh eriff’sofficesinthestatetobenationallyaccredited.      
• The financial haenadltphraocfttichiinsgafgisecnaclyrehsapsognrsoibwilnityo.v  eTrhtihseislaesvtid1e2nyteaasrsprporvimenarbilyynbiyneadchoenrsiencguttoiveouurnaqnunaulifaiel dbuadugdeittoopfirneivoenns.u es and
expenditures
• We received commendationsforoutstandinginvestigationsfromtheDEA,FBI, AttorneyGeneral’s Office and State Fire Marshal, among
• Wotehedreavgeelonpceieds.a Cold Case Unit that is responsible for solving numerous cases dating back to 1980.
• We achieved ahomicidesolverate1½times thenation alaverage.     

• We ccserreeizaaettdeeddmatihllSeiotrInenseteotrfCndreiotmllCaerrsismUiennsictAarsgehsapinforsontmsCibhdleirldufrgoerndse/aSateluexrrasOtaifofnendnpdcaertirmroCilnosamolspf.lhiaignhce crUimniet warheiachs.has yielded over 500 arrests.
• We
• We

• We have professionallytrainedreserve, canineandmounteddivisionsaveragingover15,000hoursperyear ofcommunity service.
• We constructedanewstate-of-the-art evidencefacilitysufficient forthenext20years.

The Tangipahoa ParishSheriff’s Officetakes an aggressive approach in our efforts to fight against crime.  On a modest budget and with an
agency strength of approximately 300 employees, we have managed to combat crime and increase the level of protection to our community and

businesses we serve.  
 
As Sheriff, I am proud to walk beside the men and women of this office
 who put their lives on the line each day to protect you and your family. 

In the pages to follow, there are many other positive outcomes and

 achievementsattainedonbehalfoftheresidentsofTangipahoa Parish. 

ITaanmgipparihvoileagPeadritsoh cSohnetrinifuf’esOtoffsiceervaereouhronpaorriesdh taospSrho etericftf. We at the you
and serve

 every day.   If there is a time that I can ever be of service to you, please
 just let me know.

 Sincerely,

       
    Daniel H. Edwards

ACCREDITATION

Another great noteworthy feat of 2015 is our office receiving national accreditation status from the Commission on Accreditation for
Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office met the requirements of the highly regarded, broadly recognized body of Law Enforcement
Accreditation standards and was awarded for the first time full accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation for Law
Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) on July 25, 2015.
After a 3-year self-assessment phase and an on-site inspection of policy, procedures, equipment and facilities by CALEA assessors,
Sheriff Edwards and his Accreditation Team attended a hearing before a panel of CALEA Commissioners that made a unanimous vote to
recommend accreditation of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office signifying excellence in public safety policy and practice.
Accreditation is a voluntary process that invites independent accrediting bodies to inspect and review agency policies and practices to
determine if the agency is following state and national standards and best practices.  Accreditation is a highly valued recognition for
any law enforcement agency.
The purpose of the Commission is to develop law enforcement standards and to establish and administer the accreditation process. 
The accreditation process is how a law enforcement agency demonstrates how they meet professionally recognized criteria for
excellence in management and service delivery. Being CALEA accredited is not required, but it does indicate a level of professionalism.
We will continue to look at ourselves with a microscope to make sure we are doing everything we can do to be a professional and
efficient sheriff’s office, especially in the climate we have today in law enforcement.
Upon taking office in 2004, becoming CALEA accredited was one of Sheriff Edwards’ main goals. With being CALEA recognized in
November 2011, and fully accredited in 2015, the sheriff’s office remains on course. We will continue to open our agency to scrutiny
from outside independent organizations whose job it is to make sure we are adhering to best practices in a wide range of areas, from
law enforcement to areas operations to include purchasing, training, and fiscal responsibility.   
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is one of only four sheriff’s offices in our state to be accredited. There are also four accredited
police departments in Louisiana. This accreditation would not have been possible without the support and hard work of the men and
women at the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.

DIVISIONS

COMMUNICATIONS

The COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION is an integral part
of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office which functions 24
hours a day, 7 days a week. This division is comprised of
specially trained public safety telecommunicators who strive
to provide the most effective emergency communications
possible for the citizens and visitors of Tangipahoa Parish.
Communications deputies maintain constant contact with field
personnel, providing them with optimum communications and
professional services emphasizing on safety, accuracy and
cooperation.
We have successfully established professional standards in
Communications resulting in maintaining highly trained and
qualified personnel. They are also responsible for dispatching
and maintaining records for some of the area municipal police
departments.

Specific duties of the Communications Division include:
• Receiving emergency and non-emergency calls for service
• Recording and relaying information in the verbiage

associated with law enforcement tactical incidents
• Coordinating all work efforts to ensure each assignment

is completed promptly
• Maintaining accurate operational entries in the CAD

(computer aided dispatch) system
• Proficiency and knowledge of geographical boundaries and districts
• Monitoring and utilizing multiple radio talk groups simultaneously
• Supervising proper and appropriate use of radios
• Providing updated, accurate information to field units and other responding agencies
• Entries into NCIC (National Crime Information Center) database

In 2015, the Communications Division handled a total of 51,905 calls for service; an increase of over 1,671 calls over the prior year.

NEW EVIDENCE FACILITY

2015 Highlight

In February of 2015, a newly constructed EVIDENCE
FACILITY was put into full operation! It is a facility that will
meet the needs of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office for
the next 20 years. Its state-of-the-art camera, lighting, and
alarm system monitors the facility 24 hours per day, 7 days a
week. The new facility is a great addition to our department.
Maintaining the safety and integrity of all property and evidence
is of the highest priority. Our core mission at the Tangipahoa
Parish Sheriff’s Office is to keep our citizens safe, however in
the event a crime does occur, our citizens can know that all
evidence will maintain its credibility throughout the full court
process, and beyond.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

7th Annual Night Out Against Crime The Crime Victims
September 26, 2015 Reparations Program helps

Young the victims of violent crimes overcome
Marines their loss. Victims, or the dependents of
victims, of a violent crime that caused
Neighborhood Watch injury, death, or extreme property
loss may be awarded reparations
21st Judicial District Juvenile from the Victims Reparations Fund.
Court Judge Blair Edwards 985.902.2088.
is pictured with 21st JDC
Sheriff Edwards believes that the only
Juvenile Drug Court Program long term solution to drug abuse is
Representatives Kenner Harrell prevention. This is accomplished with

and Sonja Smith education in the Drug Abuse
Resistance Education

program where students learn accurate
information about drug abuse, decision
making, and avoiding peer pressure.
D.A.R.E. is expected to graduate over
1400 students in the 2015-2016
school year.

The Rape Aggression
Defense System seeks to

inform women about all of their options
in an aggressive situation. Women in the
program learn about awareness of their
surroundings and other preventions, as
well as self-defense as an option in an
assault scenario. 985.902.2024.

Seniors and Law
Enforcement Together

helps seniors stay connected to all of
the services provided for them from the
TPSO and other certified senior service
providers.

The Neighborhood Watch
Program encourages citizens and

the TPSO to work together to prevent
residential crime in a cost effective way
that builds community bonds. Serving
over 160 participating neighborhoods.
985.902.2056.

The Young Marine
Program focuses on the education

and service of boys and girls aged 8 to
18. The young marines mental, moral,
and physical development is encouraged
as well as character building, leadership,
and healthy, drug free lifestyles.
985.902.2046.

SEESOMETHINGTangipah9o8a 5Pa.3ris4h5S.h6er1i5ff0’s Office CONTACT US
SAYSOMETHING
Emergency......................................................911
313 E. Oak Street Sheriff Daniel H. Edwards................ 985.902.2000
Amite, LA 70422 Chief Dennis C. Pevey..................... 985.902.2003
Investigations................................. 985.902.2088
Juvenile Investigations.................... 985.902.2011
Corrections.....................................985.748-3385
Tax Department..............................985.902-2053
TTDY................ 985.748-5725 or 985.748.7127
Recruiting....................................... 985.902.2063
Crime Stoppers............................... 800.554.5245

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