Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright announced the appointment of the position of Chief Deputy for the new term of office which begins in July. 

 

Sheriff Wright selected Captain Darrell Winder for promotion to Chief Deputy. Winder will assume the role on July 1, succeeding Chief Deputy Greg Dunn, who is retiring effective June 30. 

 

Sheriff Wright expressed his enthusiasm for Captain Winder’s appointment, emphasizing the trust he has in Winder’s abilities. 

 

“I am excited to announce that Capitan Darrell Winder will serve as the next Chief Deputy of the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office. Without hesitation, Captain Winder has earned my trust, the respect of his colleagues in the office, and the citizens of the parish. He has the experience, training, leadership qualities, and temperament to serve in this critical leadership role on our team. 

 

“His extensive experience, dedication, and commitment to public safety make him well-suited for this critical leadership position. The Natchitoches Parish community can expect continued professionalism and service excellence under his guidance. Captain Winder is deserving of this promotion and has my full support,” said Sheriff Stuart Wright. 

 

Winder is a veteran law enforcement officer with over 40 year’s experience that began in 1980 as deputy sheriff with the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office. At the WPSO, Winder served as a criminal and narcotics investigator. He later joined the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office in 2012 as an investigator and progressed through to ranks where he now serves as Captain of the Investigations Bureau.

Throughout his career at the Sheriff’s Office, Winder pursued continued professional development, earning certifications and training in various areas to qualify him for service such as homicide investigations, domestic violence, child death investigations, clandestine narcotics laboratory, weapons qualifications, juvenile crimes, property theft investigations, and victim support.

As Chief Deputy, Captain Winder’s responsibilities will support Sheriff Wright in administering and overseeing all aspects of the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office including:

• Leadership and Coordination: Captain Winder will collaborate closely with Sheriff Wright to ensure effective leadership and coordination within the department. This involves overseeing day-to-day operations, managing personnel, and maintaining efficient communication channels with deputies and their supervisors.

• Policy Implementation: He will be responsible for implementing and enforcing departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines. This includes ensuring compliance with legal requirements, ethical standards, and best practices under the direction of Sheriff Wright.

• Resource Management: Captain Winder will oversee the allocation of resources, including personnel, equipment, and budget.

• Community Engagement and Public Relations: As a key representative of the Sheriff’s Office, Captain Winder will engage with the Natchitoches Parish community by addressing concerns and fostering positive relationships. Building trust and transparency is vital for effective policing and community relations.

• Collaboration with Other Agencies: He will collaborate with other law enforcement agencies in Natchitoches Parish and Louisiana, parish and municipal government agencies, and the District Attorney’s Office.

• Training and Professional Development: Captain Winder will oversee training programs for deputies, ensuring they stay updated on the latest techniques, legal changes, and safety protocols to continue maintaining the high standards set forth by Sheriff Wright.

• Internal Investigations: When necessary, he will lead internal investigations into incidents involving deputies. This includes ensuring transparency, fairness, and adherence to due process.

Captain Winder is married to Josephine Williams Winder for 47 years and lives in St. Maurice. They have two adult children, Anissa Winder Smith and Darrel Winder, Jr. The Winders attend the Evergreen Baptist Church in St. Maurice where Darrell serves as Chairman of the Deacon Ministry under the leadership of Pastor Elbert R. Demery III.

Additional leadership appointments are forthcoming and will be announced at a future date.