The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office recently welcomed law enforcement officers from across the region for an intensive, multi-day Crime Scene Investigations for First Responders course, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to professional development and public safety.
Hosted at the DeSoto Sheriff Training Facility in Grand Cane, the training focused on equipping first responders with the skills needed to protect and preserve crime scenes during the critical early stages of a criminal investigation.
The course was presented by TriTech Forensics Training of North Carolina, an organization known for its advanced instruction for forensic professionals. The training was led by nationally respected crime scene investigator and instructor Michael Connolly, CSCSA, who combined classroom instruction with realistic, hands-on exercises using staged crime scenes. Participants were able to apply investigative techniques in practical scenarios designed to mirror real-world situations.
According to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, many attendees described the program as one of the most comprehensive crime scene investigation courses they have experienced.
The training brought together personnel from several agencies, including the:
DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division
DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office
Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office
Mansfield Police Department
Additional out-of-state law enforcement agencies
Sheriff Jayson Richardson emphasized the importance of ensuring patrol supervisors receive specialized crime scene training, noting that while criminal investigators may ultimately process a scene, the first officers to arrive are responsible for protecting evidence and preserving the integrity of the investigation.
By including Patrol Sergeants and Corporals in the course, the Sheriff’s Office aims to strengthen investigative procedures from the moment the first responder arrives on scene.
The agency said the training reflects its ongoing commitment to professional excellence, regional cooperation, and providing the highest level of service to the citizens of DeSoto Parish.
“Training like this reflects our continued commitment to professional development, regional partnerships, and providing the highest level of service to the citizens we are sworn to protect,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “When agencies train together, they work together—and our communities are safer because of it.”
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office also expressed its appreciation to TriTech Forensics Training, Instructor Michael Connolly, and all participating agencies for helping make the regional training a success.