Four Natchitoches Parish Reserve Deputies and three Natchitoches Police Reserve Officers graduated from the Natchitoches Police Reserve Academy.

A ceremony was held April 5 at the Natchitoches Arts Center in the presence of law enforcement, family and friends.

During the eight week academy session, the cadets were trained in criminal law, defensive tactics, firearms, narcotics identification, report writing, traffic and other law enforcement topics.

Chief of Police Mickey Dove, Sgt. Jeff Townsend, and Sheriff Victor Jones spoke to the class cadets.

Clerk of Court David Stamey administered the Oath of Office.

Academy graduates: Officer Casey Graham-NPD, Officer David Lupton-NPD, Officer Thurman Miller Jr.-NPD, Deputy Dierdre Hobley-NPSO Reserve, Deputy Penny Niette-NPSO Reserve, Deputy Eric Mogridge-NPSO Reserve, and Deputy Eric Upchurch-NPSO Reserve.

Sheriff Victor Jones and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office welcomes the graduates of the NPD Reserve Academy.

The NPSO Reserve Deputy Unit is a voluntary division of the Sheriff’s Office which is tasked with supplementing the patrol division, school activities, festivals, traffic details, natural disasters and other calls for service. The reserve deputy unit is based on very simple concepts, “promote citizen involvement in law enforcement, protect the integrity and professionalism of the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Jones expressed his appreciation and thanks to the academy instructors for their dedication and time instructing the class in proper law enforcement procedures and techniques.