By T. Scott Boatright
Working with everyone from youth to the elderly, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Iris Winston’s work for the LPSO’s Community Services Division has made her known to many.
“It’s a very fulfilling job when you’re able to help people like I’m able to do through my job,” Winston said. “I get a lot of support from a lot of people, and nothing beats the feeling that will give you.”
Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Winston moved with her family to Monroe when she was in the sixth grade.
“My dad’s job moved us here for him to work at the plant (Graphic Packaging International) in West Monroe,” Winston said. “So, I went to school at Ouachita Junior High and then I went to Carroll High School, where I graduated.”
Winston was a star track athlete at Carroll, leading to a scholarship to run for Coach Bertram Lovell and the Grambling State University track and field program.
“I went to state every year,” Winston said. “I was a triple jumper, and I ran sprints my senior year (in high school). And then I was a jumper at Grambling.”
Winston majored in criminal justice at GSU and did her internship with the LPSO.
“I guess they liked me, because they called me in and offered me a job,” Winston said. “That was 2001. I was there part-time and then in 2004 I left there to start working at Chase (Bank). I worked at Chase for about a year. I worked at both jobs for about six months before Chase hired me full-time.
“Then about six months later the Sheriff’s Office called me and asked me to come back, and I did. I’ve been there ever since.”
Winston said the move to the LPSO’s Community Services Division is one of the best things to ever happen to her.
“I think I was on probation for about 19 years,” Winston joked. “And right before (Sheriff Stephen Williams) took office, he asked if I could go over to the TRIAD department. It was different, especially because most everybody who was working in TRIAD left when COVID hit.
“And that was the time I went into the Community Service division. I started doing the Higher Youth Program and started doing elderly protection calls, which I still do, and the more I did the more I wanted to get involved with the community and build the bridge between the community and the sheriff’s office and police.”
Winston said Williams was very supportive of her work.
“That was something he was big on and really wanted to do — kind of bridge the gap and try to bring the community together,” Winston said. “I wasn’t sure when I first started because I had no clue what all that division entailed. But it kind of just took on a life of its own and we just started doing more community programs. So, it all turned fun.
“I like putting on different events and doing things like planning the office Christmas party and retirement parties and stuff. I just like doing it.”
Williams said it is her dedication to the LPSO and the Lincoln Parish community that makes Winston special.
“Iris is such a loyal and dedicated employee,” Williams said. “She has a deep desire to serve the public and truly wants to help. She always has a smile on her face and is willing to put in the work.
Winston said working with youth is one of the best parts of her duties.
“This was our third year doing the Cadet Youth Academy,” Winston said. “That’s so much fun. You see when the kids first come in that they’re all kind of at least a little shy and don’t know what to expect and by the third day, they’re all playing with each other. They meet new friends and learn new things.
“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from that program. I’m happy about that and I’m looking forward to trying to expand on that in the coming years, so I’m really looking forward to that.”
LPSO Chief Deputy Landon Hunt said Winston’s work with senior citizens has been just as successful as her work with youth.
“It is such a pleasure to work with Sgt. Winston and we are so blessed to have her running our community services division,” Hunt said. “No matter what project she is working on Sgt. Winston goes above and beyond.
“She is extremely gifted in coordinating events, large or small, paying great attention to every detail. Our annual senior expo is a testimony of her amazing dedication. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside her.”
Winston recently returned from a trip to Mexico and said that travel is one of her favorite pastimes.
“I love traveling,” Winston said. “I try to go out of the country at least three times a year. Last year I went to Morocco, Africa, and Milan, Italy. And I went to Cozumel and Cancun last year. I went to Africa and Milan on the same trip. And I’ve been to Paris twice.”
Winston said that right now, she cannot envision working any other job.
“I can see myself staying because I love what I do,” Winston said. “The sheriff’s office gets a lot of support from the community, and that feels good. We’ve got some new community programs under our sleeves that we’re going to try to make happen.
“And hopefully they’ll get the same kind of support our existing programs are receiving.”
