Sheriff announces change in assignments
LIVINGSTON — Two veteran members of the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office have swapped assignments, Sheriff Jason Ard announced Thursday.
Maj. Perry Rushing, who most recently ran the Sheriff’s Office Uniform Operations Division, has taken over as warden of the Livingston Parish Detention Center, and Maj. Jim Brown, who had served as warden, assumed command of Uniform Operations, Ard said in a news release. The changes went into effect Wednesday, Ard said.
“I’ve been evaluating the strengths of my men and women in order to better serve the people of Livingston Parish,” Ard said in the release. “After much consideration, I believe the people will be best served with Major Brown and Major Rushing in their (new) positions.”
Brown began his law enforcement career with the Denham Springs Police Department in 1982, moving to a uniform patrol deputy position with the Sheriff’s Office in 1990, Ard said.
Since that time, Brown has worked as a Drug Abuse Resistance Education program instructor, uniform patrol supervisor and detective, Ard said. In 2003, Brown became warden of the Livingston Parish Detention Center.
Since Rushing started working with the Sheriff’s Office in 1978, he has been moving up through the ranks continually, Ard said.
“I appreciate the confidence Sheriff Ard has placed in me by appointing me as warden of the Livingston Parish Detention Center,” Rushing said in the release. “I am humbled to serve with such a great group of dedicated people who currently work at the prison.”
Brown, too, expressed optimism about the change.
“I am honored to be selected by Sheriff Ard to assume my new role as major over Uniform Operations, which incorporates 11 divisions with more than 100 personnel,” Brown said in the release. “I am looking forward to working with the personnel under my new command.”
Uniform Operations is the most visible division within the Sheriff’s Office, Ard said. Its deputies are responsible for responding to more than 35,000 calls each year and handle a wide range of cases, including nuisance complaints, domestic violence, armed robberies and homicides, as well as patrolling residential areas throughout the parish, he said.
The Livingston Parish Detention Center has a capacity exceeding 600 inmates and holds male and female pre-trial and state detainees, Ard said.
The Detention Center is staffed with 70 deputies working both on-shift and in support roles.