Sheriff Mike Tregre announces his re-election candidacy
Published 12:01 am Saturday, May 9, 2015
LAPLACE — When Mike Tregre announced his candidacy for re-election to the office of Sheriff of St. John the Baptist Parish April 22 at his first campaign fundraiser this year, he said the following to let the crowd know in advance of the upcoming election Oct. 24.
Mike Tregre
“Evil prevails when good men do nothing,” Tregre said.
“That was the quote that led to the burning in my heart to step up and run for Sheriff. When I announced my candidacy for Sheriff in 2011, all I had was 24 years of experience as a law enforcement officer, a platform and a promise of ‘Protection…Not Politics.’ I got 64 percent of the vote, because people trusted me to deliver, and I believe I have.”
Tregre said since he took office in July 2012, members of SJSO have seen a 10 percent increase in pay, the implementation of the first ever deferred comp. program and their contribution to the pension plan has been absorbed by the Sheriff’s Office.
“In the hiring process, I have implemented more detailed background checks, drug testing, and the department is in the process of fully implementing psychological testing,” Tregre said.
SJSO has installed more than 100 crime cameras throughout the parish, according to Tregre.
“I have started the SJSO Officer of the Quarter and our Annual Officer of the Year Ceremony has been a success for the past two years,” Tregre said.
“Federal grants have also helped us to purchase a Bearcat for officer protection during stand-offs.
“In an effort to give inmates a skill or trade prior to returning to the community, I have initiated a re-entry program, and our first Re-entry Program graduation will be held at the National Guard Armory on May 12, 2015.”
Tregre said in the future, the SJSO has reached an agreement with the Parish to acquire land on the West bank to develop into a SJSO shooting range.
“Now, we are meeting with engineers to develop the land, with plans to eventually add a training facility and west bank substation,” he said.
“I have a vision of turning the Sherman Walker Correctional into the St. John Sheriff’s Department. All departments of the sheriff’s office, including narcotics, CID, civil department and administration could be housed under one roof. Plans for a new correctional facility to be built behind the Sherman Walker facility would be a part of the renovations.”
