The Special Operations Bureau provides support for the various divisions within the department. Duties are to provide security and traffic control for special events, parades, sporting events and special situations. The bureau was also tasked with handling hostage situations, search warrants, dignitary protection and other high-risk events. The Bureau also provides daily support to uniform patrol officers.

Air Support

This unit provides aerial support to include:

• Aerial Photography and Aerial Support for Outside Agencies
• Criminal Surveillance
• Directed Patrol
• Officer Safety
• Search and Rescue
• Suspect Searches
• Vehicle and Foot Pursuits

Please call 225-389-7918 to contact this department.

Dive Team / Underwater Investigation

This unit consists of members from various divisions throughout the department. Their mission is search and rescue as well as evidence recovery.

DWI Task Force

DWI Task Force patrols after dark, enforcing laws relating to impaired drivers under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.

Explosives / Hazardous Material Unit

Their primary responsibilities are the detection, relocation, disposal and safeguarding of clandestine devices which constitute a public hazard in the city or surrounding community. This includes searches at special events and dignitary protection details. This unit also has Explosive Detector Dogs which are used to search areas for explosives that may constitute a public hazard. Please call 225-389-3860 to contact this department.

Hit & Run Division

Hit and Run is responsible for the follow up investigation of hit and run and incomplete accidents as reported by field officers. Please call 225-389-3877 to contact this department.

K-9 Unit

The K-9 unit is composed of specially trained police patrol canines. These canines are used to locate suspects through tracks, building searches and area searches. Canines are also used to locate evidence, as well as search for missing children or people. Please call 225-389-5208 to contact this department.

Motorcycle Section

The Motorcycle Section concentrates on traffic enforcement and accident investigation, as well as escorts and other specialized assignments at the discretion of the Chief of Police. Please call 225-389-7626 to contact this department.

Mounted Patrol Unit

The mounted unit provides intensive patrols in the downtown area, along levees, at parks, concentrated business areas and special events. The mounted unit is also used for crowd control as well as community policing at public events. Please call 225-389-7626 to contact this department.

Radar Units

Radar Units are responsible for enforcement of speeding laws, serve as accident investigators during inclement weather and are periodically assigned to special events.

School Crossing Guards

School Crossing Guards are civilians used to supplement police protection of children walking to and from schools during the regular school year. Please call 225-389-5010 to contact this department.

Special Response Team (SRT)

The SRT unit is made up of SWAT officers and negotiators who are called on to resolve special situations beyond the capabilities of regular officers. These situations include:

• Barricaded Subjects
• Dignitary Protection
• Event Security
• Hostage Situations
• Search Warrants
• Other Special Situations

The unit consists of permanently assigned members and call-out personnel from all divisions of the department.

Traffic Division

The Traffic Division is responsible for parking control, radar speed enforcement, motorcycle escort duty, and assisting the uniform patrol division in selective traffic enforcement and accident investigation as required, as well as special events and assignments at the discretion of the Chief of Police. Please call 225-389-3874 to contact this department.

Traffic Homicide Unit

Traffic Homicide investigates all traffic crashes involving death or life threatening injuries and fleet crashes, as directed by the Chief of Police. Please call 225-389-7819 to contact this department.