By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – For the first time in 16 years, a new leader will take the helm of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office as new Sheriff Mike Tregre will be sworn into office Saturday morning.

Tregre’s inauguration will begin with a Mass at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Church, 772 River Road in Reserve. The swearing-in ceremony will begin at noon at East St. John High School in Reserve. St. John Parish Clerk of Court Eliana DeFrancesch, who won re-election in October, will also be sworn in at the ceremony.

Tregre said Judge Madeline Jasmine will deliver the oath to DeFrancesch and her clerk’s office employees. He said Judge Mary Hotard Becnel will deliver his oath and Judge Sterling Snowdy will deliver the oath for new Chief Deputy Tregg Wilson. He said the oath for his deputies would be done in shifts.

 “Deputies who are present at the ceremony will be sworn in that day,” Tregre said. “Those working the day run will be sworn in Sunday morning at 5 a.m. Those who had just gotten off of work the previous night will be sworn in Sunday morning at midnight when they return to work. The front office employees and detectives will be sworn in Monday morning at the council chambers.”

Tregre said all new deputies have been fitted with new uniforms that include new badges and patches. He said the patch holds significant meanings that all deputies will be expected to know when asked.

“The year at the bottom of the patch, 1807, is the year St. John Parish was established,” Tregre said. “The eagle’s head in the center of the patch is turned to the right and facing the olive branch in its right foot signifying peace, not war. I think the patch builds pride within the organization and shows a connection to the community.”

Tregre said about 90 to 93 percent of the existing Sheriff’s Office staff will remain in place when he starts work Sunday morning. He said some employees have been reassigned, but all are ready for work.

“I’m not here for politics,” Tregre said. “I know I have a job to do and we are ready to do it. I can tell you that officers have not waited for me to take office. I have been told over and over that officers are more visible and more interactive with the community. That is the first step toward getting a handle on crime in the parish.”

In addition to his deputies being more visible, Tregre also said his administrative staff will follow him into the community when he attends meetings and civic events.

“I want people who are comfortable speaking with me to also be comfortable speaking to the rest of my staff,” Tregre said.

“I want the residents to know that we will be active in the community at all levels,” he added.

Tregre said all deputies are now CPR certified, drug tested and drug free. He said he worked closely with outgoing Sheriff Wayne Jones to ensure that all employees were ready to get to work right away.