2023 Police Jury Association of Louisiana (PJAL) Convention

Police jury members from across the state will meet this week in Shreveport for the 2023 Police Jury Association of Louisiana (PJAL) convention, and the occasion will be bittersweet for one Bossier Parish juror.

Bob Brotherton, the current District 1 representative on the local police jury, has served as President of the PJAL for the past year and it's been a year he will remember.

"I've accomplished the goal of crisscrossing the state attending regional police jury meetings and it's been wonderful," he said. "The message at these meetings was working together with juries in neighboring parishes is the best way to solve problems."

Brotherton said being president of the state association means being willing to work hard and knowing that serving on the state level brings a sense of accomplishment as part of a team.

"I appreciate the fact that the executive board and the police jury had enough confidence in me to allow me to serve in this capacity," he said. "I hope I've represented the state board with the dignity the office deserves."

Brotherton is the second Bossier Parish Police Jury member in three years to rise to the top slot with the PJAL, following District 2's Glenn Benton who was president during the 2020 year.

"It was an honor for both of us to serve and to represent Bossier Parish on the state level," he said. "Both of us made friends and contacts all over the state that have been beneficial to our parish."

According to reports from the PJAL's state headquarters, this year's convention will be the largest ever with a record number of registrations already received. Brotherton said he is glad to see so many jury members from across the state coming to town.

"These conventions are places where we can share experiences and learn from one another. It's great that so many will be attending," he said. "We will also have several informational seminars and state officials who will talk about issues facing the state."

Brotherton has conflicting emotions knowing this will be his last official act as president.

"I feel both sad and happy about this being my final duty as president. I'm sad the year has to come to an end, but I am happy to have served as president of the PJAL," he said. "I have enjoyed tremendously every minute and every day of my term. I thank all the people who made this possible and who made my job easier."