Blood of Heroes 

Message from the Chief 

    
WELCOME 

On behalf of the men and women of the Bogalusa Police Department, I am pleased to welcome you to our internet web site.  

Our department strives to deliver the highest possible level of service to the Bogalusa community, we are committed to making our community the greatest place to live, work and retire. 

Our site has been developed to provide you with timely information on the Department and its many programs. I hope that you will find the information presented here a benefit to you. 

The challenge of today's leaders is not to leave policing in America in the same condition we inherited it, but to improve it by exercising leadership that makes a difference. 

All BPD employees are proud that they have contributed to improving the quality of life through their dedication and service to our great city. 

Thank you for visiting our website and feel free to offer your comments as to how we may serve you in the future.

Chief Joe Culpepper

ChiefBPD@bellsouth.net

Drinking and Driving: A Deadly Combination

 Through education, increased law enforcement and stiffer penalties, the number of alcohol-related traffic crashes can be reduced.

What you can do to protect yourself and others

If you drink, be responsible. When with a group, choose a designated driver. Having one person agree to drink only non-alcoholic beverages and provide transportation for other members of the group can save lives.

 As a host, here are some things you can do to ensure responsible drinking at a social function:

·         Provide plenty of non-alcoholic beverages.

·         Do not pressure guests to drink.

·         Serve food to slow the rate of absorption of alcohol.

·         Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party is over.

·         If guests drink too much, call a cab or arrange a ride with a sober driver.

How to detect a drunk driver

According to law enforcement officials, drivers under the influence of alcohol often display certain characteristics, which can include:

·         Making wide turns

·         Weaving, swerving, drifting or straddling the center line.

·         Almost striking an object or vehicle

·         Driving on the wrong side of the road

·         Driving at a very slow speed

·         Stopping without cause

·         Braking erratically

·         Responding slowly to traffic signals

·         Turning abruptly or illegally

·         Driving after dark with headlights off.

Please keep these characteristics in mind to avoid a dangerous situation. If you are in front of an impaired driver, move to your right and let him or her pass. If the driver is in front of you, stay a safe distance behind. If the driver is coming at you, slow down, move to the right and stop. Once you are a safe distance from the impaired driver, call 9-1-1 or the police. Do not attempt to stop the impaired driver's vehicle yourself.

Stricter laws can help too

(MADD) suggests passage and enforcement of laws that would:

·         Enforce the minimum drinking age in all states

·         Require that convicted impaired drivers be subject to alcohol testing prior to reinstatement of their driver's license (This would be effective in getting the chronic impaired driver off the roads.)

·         Enact administrative license revocation laws in all states allowing arresting police officers to automatically suspend a driver's license if the driver is found to exceed the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit or if they refuse to take a breath test

·         Set up a graduated license system where a newly licensed driver is only given certain driving privileges. As the driver matures, these privileges would increase.

·         Suspend the license of underage drinkers found driving with any measurable level of alcohol in their blood. If a driver is under 21, any alcohol in the bloodstream is illegal.

·         Increase roadside sobriety checkpoints. These checkpoints would catch drivers in the act and be an effective deterrent.

Golf Carts, Gas/electric scooters may not be used on any public streets or roadways in the City of Bogalusa.

Despite the popularity of golf carts, gas/electric scooter among young children, they cannot operate a golf carts, gas/electric scooter on any public street or roadway. The only place a child can operate a golf cart, gas/electric scooter is on private property, with permission of that private property owner.

           Anyone who chooses to operate a golf cart, gas or electric scooter on private property should:

            • Wear a protective helmet with the chin strap properly fastened, as well as elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards, gloves and shoes;

            • Make sure the scooter is equipped with a rear view mirror;

            • Make sure the scooter has a headlight at night;

            • Never carry more than one person on the scooter;

            • Do not dart out of driveways or from between parked cars;

            • Don’t swerve when looking over your shoulder;

            • Never ride on sidewalks;

            • Check the scooter’s equipment before you ride, including all nuts and bolts, the brakes, the frame and tires;

            • Read and understand the instruction manual;

            • Observe all safety and warning labels on your scooter;

            • Have a responsible person present to observe the riding of gas or electric scooters while on private property. s LOUISIANA

Safety Helmet: Required

Eye Protection: Required unless equipped with windscreen

Daytime Headlight Use: Modulating headlight permitted

Helmet Speakers: No Restrictions

Handlebar Height: Maximum of 15" above seat             

BPD POLICE RESPONSE TO 911 CALLS

Calling 9-1-1

Police suggest calling 9-1-1 from your cell phone only in true emergencies:

·         Unreported collisions

·         Any life-threatening event

·         Any crime against you or another person

·         A vehicle or object blocking traffic lanes

·         A suspected drunk driver

Do not use 9-1-1 for situations such as:

·         A stalled vehicle off the roadway

·         A broken-down vehicle that is not a hazard

·         Winter road conditions

·         A stolen vehicle when nothing is known about the suspected thief

·         Asking for directions

·         Testing your phone

When you dial 9-1-1, the call from your cellular phone is routed to the appropriate emergency response authority. Be prepared to provide:

·         Exact location of vehicle in distress

·         Nature of emergency

·         Your name and cellular number, including area code 

 If You Do Not Have An Emergency You are Requested to call our Non-Emergency Line 732-3611

Remember: Answering questions does NOT delay the dispatch of assistance. A dispatcher is sending help your way while the Call Taker takes additional information from you. The more pertinent information you give us, the safer everyone will be.

Why prioritize calls?

We answer hundreds of calls each day – everything from found property to attempted murder. Obviously, we must respond more quickly when a life is in danger than when only property is threatened. We have limited resources and must work numerous calls simultaneously; prioritization helps us effectively and efficiently use those resources. We make every effort to provide the highest level of police service at every call.

How are common calls prioritized?

The factors below are not rigid categories but guidelines used when determining the priority of 911 calls. Some of the most common calls are listed as examples. 

*About 911 hang-ups: Our policy is to respond to ALL 911 hang up calls. If you change your mind about needing assistance, stay on the line and explain that to the 911 Call Taker. Otherwise, an officer will be dispatched to your location to ensure that you are safe. Calling 911 when you do not need an officer puts those who need emergency assistance in danger and puts you in danger of being prosecuted for making a false report.

The Bogalusa Police Department is asking citizens to help stop the accidental calls by locking their cell phone keypads, turning off automatic 911 dialing features and avoiding programming 911 as a speed-dial number.   

 Our Mission 

The mission of the Bogalusa Police Department is to improve the quality of life of citizens, living, working, or visiting our city.

We believe as Law Enforcement officers, our fundamental duty is to serve mankind: to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional Rights of all persons to liberty, equality, and justice. We believe that it is our responsibility to protect the constitutional rights of all persons and that we are accountable to the community.

We believe that crime is not only a police problem but a social problem impacting all aspects of the community and we are committed to working with the community to address these issues.

We will keep our private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both our personal and official life. We will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of our department.

We recognize the badge of our office as a symbol of public faith, and we accept it as a public trust to be held so long as we are true to the ethics of law enforcement. We will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating ourselves before God to our chosen profession....law enforcement.

Click Here
A searchable database of child sex offenders
and child predators in Louisiana

Please be warned that the City of Bogalusa strongly objects to the use of its Web Site facilities or the Internet for illegal and immoral activities and will vigorously prosecute those who knowingly and illegally abuse the site. The City of Bogalusa will cooperate with Federal, State, Parish and Local law-enforcement officials in the pursuit of criminal activities and those who perpetrate such activities.