Candidate for Bossier City Marshal
Jimmie Whitman
Jimmie "Jim" Whitman is running for Bossier City Marshal.
Read his full questionnaire below.
What professional experience, leadership background, and qualifications have prepared you to serve as Bossier City Marshal?
True Law Enforcement Experience - 23 years POST Certified, with State of Louisiana.
12 Successful years leading the Marshal's Office.
Actually knowing what the duties of the Marshal's Office is:
- Functions of Civil Law Processing
- Functions of Criminal Law Processing
- Providing Certified Computer Forensic support to other agencies within the state
What are your top three priorities for the Bossier City Marshal's Office, and what specific actions would you take to accomplish them?
- Execution of court orders and mandates
- Security of the Court of Bossier City
- Continuing the successful joint operations with BCPD, BPSO and other surrounding agencies.
As far as actions to maintain this, we will excel in training and providing services, under my leadership and that of my team.
How would you work with local law enforcement agencies, the courts, and other public safety partners to improve coordination and service to the citizens of Bossier City?
- We as an office have already successfully partnered with other law enforcement agencies. We support the ICAC, H.S.I., F.B.I., BCPD, BPSO, LB.I., and many others.
- We will continue to provide services to assist them with investigations, through the various means of support we have provided throughout my 12 years of service, as Bossier City Marshal.
How would you ensure that the Marshal's Office operates efficiently, responsibly manages taxpayer resources, and maintains appropriate financial accountability?
- The Marshal's Office undergoes annual audit of expenditures and use of public funds.
- The Marshal's Office also adheres to the state of Louisiana procurement laws.
- Constant scrutiny of our budgets.
What opportunities do you see to modernize the Marshal's Office through technology, improved processes, training, or other operational changes?
The Marshal's Office has led with technological implementation, for officer safety and public accountability
- Implementation of body cameras
- Technology in the vehicles to improve communication between BCMO & BCP
- Annual training protocols to stay informed and prepared with state and federal, and local legal updates
What is your approach to recruiting, retaining, training, and leading a professional staff while maintaining high standards of accountability and public service?
- Leadership is a team effort, an establishment of trust in the knowledge of your staff members, and their ability to accomplish the mission set before us as an office. The opinion of the team matters, by helping to make decisions it helps the members grow into leadership roles.
- Accountability not only to each officer on the team, but also to the public is essential. Our function within the community is to serve with excellence.
What steps would you take to promote transparency, accessibility, ethical conduct, and public confidence in the Bossier City Marshal's Office?
- Adaptation of Body Worn Cameras
- Adaptation of Vehicle Cameras
The business community values a safe, efficient, and well-managed city. How would your leadership as City Marshal contribute to Bossier City's quality of life, economic vitality, and overall business climate?
- Efficient execution of court orders that help to protect business services
- Efficient execution of orders which protect citizens
- Security within the court to maintain order, which facilitates, the execution of laws necessary to safety of our community.