Chief Donald D. Dixon announces the retirement of his Operations Commander, Captain Nathan Troy Keller (photograph attached.) Captain Keller began working for the Lake Charles Police Department on March 28, 1988. He was hired as a Police Officer and worked as a Patrol Officer. In 1991, he was transferred to the Investigation Division and was later promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In 2002, Keller was assigned as a Patrol Shift Sergeant where he supervised uniformed Patrol Officers. In 2006, Keller was assigned to the Community Policing Division where he was later promoted to Police Lieutenant.
While assigned to the Community Policing Division, Captain Keller was instrumental in implementing several proactive programs including Pastor’s on Patrol, Neighborhood Watch Groups, Back to School programs, and community meetings.
In 2015, Keller was promoted to the rank of Police Captain and assigned as Commander of the Operations Division. As Commander, Captain Keller continued his proactive mindset supervising the Uniformed Patrol Division and the Community Policing Division. He immediately made contact with the Department of Justice and ensured that all officers under his command attended cultural diversity training.
Other proactive programs included:
- Read With Me – This program was created for Officers to interact with elementary students. Officers would speak about safety, stranger danger and read a short book to the students.
- Cops & Cribs – Officers attended a two hours training course on infant deaths and safe sleep held by the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office. If an Officer responded to a call and noticed an infant in need of a crib, they could provide the guardian with a free portable crib. If this program saves one baby, it was worth the effort.
- Child Safety Seat Technicians – Four employees were certified as technicians in property installing child safety seats. In October 2017, Lake Charles Police Department hosted its first child safety seat detail and was a successful event.
- Critical Incident Training – Over thirty Officers have attended the forty (40) hour course. When Officers are dispatched to a call with a mentally ill persons, they are better trained to handle the situation. This has reduced the number of physical altercations with mentally ill citizens.
- Clergy Law Enforcement Academy/Community Leaders Law Enforcement Partnership Academy/Community Law Enforcement Partnership Academy – This six week academy was a joint effort between the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Lake Charles Police Department. The community was educated on assorted areas of the judicial system.
During his career, Captain Keller received numerous awards including: Supervisor of the Year, Officer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, NAACP Law Enforcement and several Merit Awards.
Captain Nathan Keller has been a tremendous asset to the Lake Charles Police Department for over 30 years and a community champion for building trust and relationships, he will truly be missed.