SHREVEPORT, La. — The new Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Unit is taking a hands-on, victim-centered approach to addressing abuse cases across the parish, receiving more than 100 inquiries from victims in its first two months of operation.
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Launched April 13, the three-person unit was created to provide a coordinated response to domestic violence cases, offering support from initial contact with law enforcement through court proceedings and recovery services.
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Deputy Lesley Lacy, a victim advocate with the unit, said the goal is to ensure victims receive immediate and continued support.
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"I get a list of arrests every day and make note of the domestic violence arrests," Lacy said. "When deputies go to a domestic violence scene, they can call me and we can do an assessment over the phone, and I can actually go on scene and assess their needs."
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Lacy said the unit helps connect victims with resources, assists with protective orders and provides ongoing follow-up throughout the legal process.
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"What is unique to us is that we have a staff attorney," Lacy said. "If I can attend court with them and the attorney for their protective order, I will. I also check in with my victims as much as every day if I can."
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Deputy Vernita Williams, who handles intake for the unit, said building trust with victims is a key part of the response.
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"I greet them with a warm smile and let them know it's okay and that I'm here to listen and help," Williams said.
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The unit also uses dedicated vehicles equipped with child safety seats to safely transport victims and their children when necessary.
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The CPSO initiative comes as law enforcement agencies across Caddo Parish continue responding to rising domestic violence calls.
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According to the Shreveport Police Department, officers have responded to 1,142 domestic violence-related calls for service since the beginning of 2026.
City leaders have also taken steps to address the issue.
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The Shreveport City Council recently approved a memorandum of understanding between the city, the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and community partners to improve coordination in domestic violence response and reduce duplication of services.
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Mayor Tom Arceneaux said the agreement is intended to bring all stakeholders together to strengthen the overall response system.
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The issue has drawn renewed attention following several cases in Shreveport this year, including an April mass shooting in the Cedar Grove neighborhood that left eight children dead. In May, 34-year-old Shelby Leigh May was also fatally shot following a domestic dispute.
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“We don’t want to see people continue to die from something that is preventable,” said Tabatha Taylor, chair of the Shreveport City Council.
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