We received a press release letter from Phillip "Koolaid" Cutrer regarding his decision to challenge incumbent Chief Cheryl Wooley for Many Chief of Police.
Hello City of Many Citizens, my name is Phillip “Koolaid” Cutrer. I plan to gain your trust and your vote for Many Police Chief in the upcoming election. I have been a sworn peace officer since 2011, and I am currently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division as a Detective for the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. I have worked in the Criminal Investigations Division since December 2022 in the capacity of a Detective investigating various types of crimes, such as homicides, rapes, and burglaries, which led me to draft, obtain and execute search warrants on vehicles, and residences. I worked for Sabine Parish
Sheriff's Office at The Detention Center from November 2011, gaining title of Sergeant while I was there. In 2015 I left Sabine Parish Sheriff's Office and became employed at Many Police Dept. as a patrolman and later be named the Sole Investigator for the department from 2015 to 2020. I attended the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Training Academy and have been a P.O.S.T. certified peace officer since 2017. During my time as a certified officer, I have attended several classes to update my training.
In 2020, I came back to Sabine Parish Sheriff's Office and served as Many School S.R.O. for a short period, when I decided to take some time off. I came back to Sabine Parish Sheriff's Office in July 2022 and worked for Lt. Heard and The Patrol Division gaining the title of acting Sergeant and in December 2022 was promoted to Detective at the Criminal Investigations Division by Sheriff Mitchell.
I have gained many certifications such as:
- Sabine Parish Special Operations Group Team Leader later being named SOG Assistant Commander
- Drone Pilot Certification
- Public Safety Diver Certification
- Swat School Certification
- CVSA (Certified Voice Stress Analyzer)
- 2023 Homicide Conference to update my homicide investigation credentials
- Supervisor and Leadership Certification in 2024
- Tactical Leadership through NORSE Tactical in 2024
- I have helped gain a Tactical Shoot-house Facility for Sabine Parish Sheriff's Office
- Chemical O/C Pepper Spray Instructor
- Grenadier Instructor
- 40MM Less Lethal Instructor
- Chemical munitions Instructor
- Assisted in coordinating a Swat 1 Course at Sabine Parish Sheriff's Office
- Led and coordinated numerous missions while attached to Sabine Special Operations Group in which US Marshall, FBI, and ATF units were involved.
As you can tell from the above credentials, not only have I gained countless knowledge but I have excelled and gained a leadership role in some fashion.
As your Chief of Police, I will strive for the following:
- Maintain a professional and well-trained department
- Serve and Protect (Not just write tickets on the highways)
- Form outreach programs for community and youth (Breakfast with a Cop, Shop with a cop, Toys for tots, Battle House with Anna Kate Williams, ETC)
- A True Departmental Open Door Policy
- Influence Officers to community police and have superior public relations
- Create and maintain relationships with surrounding agencies
- Work hand in hand with Superintendent Shane Wright and The Many School System
- Create a Superior Administration
- Maintain a working relationship with the court system and Judge Gentry
- Attend all Community functions such as: Blooming on Main, Many Christmas Festival, Annual Alumni, Autism Walk, Trash cleanup, Fair and Rodeo, numerous parades and many more.
- I plan to bring Mr. Chris Abraham in as Many Police Asst. Chief with the City Councils approval. Abraham has extensive in Law Enforcement with 30+ years of experience. Chris knows personally what it takes to properly and excel in running a Police Dept. We share the same beliefs in administering a successful department which benefits the City Hall Administration and ultimately the Citizens of Many.
I am a proud Father and am proud to call myself a Many Tiger. All my children attend Many Schools with exception of 1 and he attends Converse. When I moved to Many, Louisiana, I placed my family roots firmly on the ground calling it “Home”. I have met numerous citizens through my relationship with the late Chief Roger Freeman during my employment at Many Police Department. Chief Freeman is what I called “The Peoples Chief”. He served the people of Many in a highly professional manner and taught me many things. I spent a lot of time with Roger Freeman and his family while working under his reign. I had lots of conversations about Administration, Leadership, Control and the Economics of Many Police Department with Chief Freeman. He spoke highly about “The People of Many” referring to them as his people. During my employment at Many Police Department, Chief Freeman introduced me to some of the “Best” people in Sabine Parish and instilled in me the high value of always being “FAIR”.
I personally believe that Many, Louisiana is a flourishing community, rich with tourism and is deserving of a professional, community engaged, and highly trained Police Department. As your Chief of Police for Many I will be committed to building upon and maintain trust, while we at Many Police Department join with Many Citizens to work towards a safer Many.
Officers are responsible for everyone’s safety and at times must make split-second, life changing decisions. I ask that the community join with officers to promote safety. Officers are encouraged to slow down decisions when safe and always practice the principles of procedural justice including Voice, neutrality, respect and trust. Voice means listening to all sides of the situation, being neutral in decisions made, giving respect even if not received and always displaying trustworthiness in doing the things you say you will do.
The job of a police officer is extremely difficult, especially in encounters with persons in crisis whose actions may be unrecognizable to their own family and friends. I firmly believe in the sanctity of life, meaning every person, no matter what their circumstances, is highly valued and their life is sacred.
Lastly, Unity is being together or at one with someone or something. It's the opposite of being divided. This is a word for togetherness or oneness. I will promote and demand unity with Many City council members, community members, and fellow Law enforcement agencies. Being an existing Sheriff’s Office Employees and having a great existing relationship with Law Enforcement Officers around the Parish this feat will be easily obtained. Due to the Sheriff’s Office having so many resources readily available and highly trained officers, this bridge of Unity is paramount for a department to function at its highest potential. By a department functioning at its highest potential, the citizens and officers will benefit greatly. The unity with sheriff’s office will bring resources such as a superb narcotics unit, a top-notch criminal investigations division, and many more to benefit from.
I look forward to building upon my existing relationships with the Many Community and our department. Together, along with City Leadership, Many Police Department will be the model of success for surrounding communities and law enforcement professionals.
Thanks in advance,
Phillip “Koolaid” Cutrer