ROTARY HONORS TOP COPS

Annual Award Given To Pair From Drug Unit

BOGALUSA - Pfc. Wendell O'Berry and Sgt. Kendall Bullen of the
Bogalusa Police Department's Drug Task Force were honored as Policemen
of the Year at this week's Rotary Club meeting.

Bogalusa Police Chief Jerry Agnew said last year the entire department
was recognized instead of just one or two individuals, but this year
the drug task force officers were chosen.

"They have the vision," he said in his introduction, noting that they
looked at all the officers and recognized that these two are
visionaries who work their beat, anticipate reality and have a dream
for the city.

"They are receptive to new ideas and show a positive attitude. No one
ever attains success with any task by simply doing what is required of
him. It is the amount and excellence that is over and above the
required that determines the greatness of ultimate
distinction."

O'Berry, who as been with the department since 1997, said he was
placed on the drug task force about 18 months ago.

"We've made progress, but we still have a long way to go," he said,
while thanking other members of the task force for their support. He
said these officers and members of the Sheriff's Drug Task Force are
very important to what they do.

"We've made over 300 arrests in the past year for the city," he said,
"but despite our efforts, there is a growing drug problem. The
department is at an all-time low on personnel and that needs to be
changed. When you are fighting a war, you can't downsize the army and
win," O'Berry said. "My biggest motivation is my son. I want to do
some things to change conditions and we need help to change."

O'Berry suggested everyone encourage city leadership to provide more
officers. He said when he went to work there were 50 officers and now
there are 35.

Bullen, who has been with the department since 1994, kidded his
partner by saying O'Berry had said everything he meant to say.

"We work pretty much at night," Bullen said as he introduced and
thanked his wife, Robin. "Sometimes I go for weeks without seeing my
kids."

Bullen said Chief Agnew came to the department shortly after he was
hired and all of his training had been under his leadership.

"We couldn't do anything without the other members of the drug task
force," he said. "We knock on doors and we couldn't do without their
support. We have a really good team and they do a lot," he said.

Bullen said his concern is that experienced officers are retiring and
a citywide plan is needed for replacements.

"We all need to do things to see the city grow," he said in closing,
thanking everyone for the recognition.

Chief Agnew said he doesn't believe the problem is something they
can't overcome, but the city needs a tax base to be able to afford
more officers.

He said he came to Bogalusa 12 years ago to fight drugs and told about
some assistance they are getting from High Intensity Drug Traffic Area
(HIDTA), an effort of federal, state and local officials, who interact
with the local department. He said he appreciates Sheriff Jones and
his drug task force and they do assist the city.

Agnew said drugs are a real problem in society and they begin in the
family and with parents.

He said they have made a lot of arrests by working together and
utilizing the drug dog. When executing a search warrant the officers
may miss drugs but the dog doesn't, he said.

He talked about the drug sweeps made at the schools with the dog,
noting that nobody knows when the searches will be made.

"Most of the time, I don't even know when they are going and if I
don't know, nobody knows," he said.

Following the presentation of a plaque to each of the officers by
Rotary President-Elect Merlin Duke and another from the department,
Agnew answered some questions from Rotarians.

They asked about drug problems in the city and also about the problem
in hiring additional officers.

Agnew said staffing is very expensive and a city has to have a
sufficient tax base to support it. He added that it also takes a lot
of effort to get hired as potential officers have to pass a Civil
Service test, get on the Civil Service listing and undergo
psychological testing.