Sowela welcomes hundreds of students for its first Criminal Justice Day
Published 4:23 pm Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Sr. Corporal McGroarty with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Office shows Calcasieu Parish high school students the inside of a patrol car during the first ever Criminal Justice Day at SOWELA Technical Community College on Tuesday. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Office deputy Callie Nunez talked to high school students on Tuesday at the communications division of the CPSO during SOWELA Technical Community College's first Criminal Justice Day. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
CPSO Sergeant Kevin Fruge talks to Calcasieu Parish high school students about the CPSO Marine Division during SOWELA Technical Community College's first Criminal Justice Day on Tuesday. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Ozzie is released by the CPSO Anti-crime, Tactical and Training Unit to pursue a suspect during a demonstration at the first SOWELA Technical Community College Criminal Justice Day on Tuesday. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Office canine Ozzie subdues a suspect during a demonstration at the first SOWELA Technical Community College Criminal Justice Day on Tuesday. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Office canine Ozzie subdues a suspect during a demonstration at the first SOWELA Technical Community College Criminal Justice Day on Tuesday. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Office canine Ozzie subdues a suspect while the Anti-crime, Tactical and Training Unit moves in during a demonstration at the first SOWELA Technical Community College Criminal Justice Day on Tuesday. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
CPSO's Lt. Ryan Mareno, William Wilcox and Sergeant Joshua Bazinet talk to Calcasieu Parish high school students about the activities of Marine Enforcement Division Unit on Tuesday at SOWELA Technical Community College's Criminal Justice Day. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
More than 300 Southwest Louisiana students paid a visit to Sowela Technical Community College on Tuesday to experience the first Criminal Justice Day.
The event was hosted in partnership between Sowela and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office to connect high school students with potential careers in law enforcement — like death investigation and forensics, corrections, K9 officers, and drone and IT professionals.
Eight law enforcement agencies from the five-parish region set up interactive exhibitions on Sowela’s campus to guide students through the ins and outs of the career.
The participating agencies include: Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Iowa Police Department, Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office, Oakdale Federal Correctional Institution, Allen Correctional Facility, Lake Charles Police Department, Louisiana State Highway Patrol and CPSO.
CPSO Lt. John Reddin said the stations were set up to simulate the investigation process.
“A call comes in, this is how we process it up until we apprehend the subject,” he said.
Students started at the command center stationed outside of the Arts and Humanities building because “every call starts with dispatch.” The students headed inside to get debriefed on the CPSO Real Time Crime Center — a crime-fighting hub that is operational 24/7.
The students were shown RTCC (body cam footage, license plate readers) to learn how intel and evidence are gathered.The forensics unit (FIU) set up a mock crime scene modeled after a real adjudicated case – a homicide in Sulphur. They were then given a detective debrief to examine CCTV footage.
After exploring the case, students went outside to see a SWAT vehicle and watch a canine unit demonstration. Also stationed outside were marine and motor divisions, and a human resources tent.
Sowela offers a criminal justice degree that gives students varied practical experience for criminal justice careers, including crime prevention, public safety and corrections. Morgan Levieir is a Sowela criminal justice student who is exploring a career in death investigations, where she would work as a coroner or medical examiner to determine causes of death.
Originally driven by a desire to learn about the human body, she initially pursued nursing. But her experience shadowing her cousin who is a coroner inspired her to switch careers. At Sowela, she learns more than what she needs for a career in death investigation, allowing her to get a full picture of the web of law enforcement agencies and criminal justice careers.
The event reflects that experience. The goal of Criminal Justice Day was to put a spotlight on the different career possibilities that law enforcement agencies provide, Reddin said. CPSO is one of the largest employers in the parish and only a fraction of their work force is officers. There is not enough public knowledge on the intricacies of law enforcement and versatility of career options.
“Where most people just view a cop and a police car riding around, some of these kids probably never thought about all the other options they have,” he said.
After receiving her degree, Levieir could work with CPSO, the coroners’ officer, forensics, or a private practice. However, she is most interested in working with CPSO.
While they have seen am uptick in applications, CPSO is always looking to hire qualifted individuals who are interested in a career with longevity, Reddin said. Sheriff Gary “Stitch” Guillory said he was excited to see the turnout at Criminal Justice Day and exctied at the opportuntiy to partner with Sowela.
“It gives us an opportunity to interact with young people,” he said. “Sowela needs the student, we need employees.”
Sowela also offers three credits for students who are POST-certified, meaning they have met the minimum training standards to operate as a police officer.
To learn more about the program or how to apply, visit www.sowela.edu/apply or contact onestop@sowela.edu.
