When Ben Thomas walked into the Ruston Police Department as a young officer years ago, he couldn’t have predicted he’d one day help run it. Today, after years of service and steady leadership, Thomas has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Administration, one of two new deputy chief positions created to strengthen the department’s leadership team.
Unlike the street-facing side of police work that most residents know, Thomas’s new role keeps him focused on the machinery that makes effective policing possible. He now oversees equipment, grant administration, purchasing, supply chain functions, and policy development. It’s a job that requires patience, organization, and the ability to see how small details ripple into the bigger picture.
As deputy chief for administration, Thomas’s goal is to ensure officers have everything they need to do the job—training, policy, equipment, and other resources.
“Every piece of equipment, every policy, every supply order — it all connects back to whether our officers can do their jobs safely and effectively,” Thomas said. “That’s what motivates me: making sure the people on the street have what they need.”
Thomas, from Union Parish, got his start at the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office.
When the company he was working for closed, the late Union Parish Sheriff Bob Buckley “asked me when I was coming to work for him. I said I’ll be there Monday,” Thomas said.
That was about 19 years ago. Thomas became an investigator, was on the SWAT team, and was a K9 officer. He came to RPD nine years ago.
Before his promotion to deputy chief, Thomas served as a patrol sergeant, respected for his calm demeanor and careful approach to problem-solving. Fellow officers describe him as even-tempered, the type of leader who prefers to listen first and act second.
His rise reflects not just his skill, but also the trust he’s earned over the years. He’s been the kind of leader doesn’t seek the spotlight, but when something needs to get done, you can count on him to figure it out.
Thomas shares his title with Deputy Chief Dylan Castaneda, who now leads Patrol, Criminal Investigations, and the Communications Center. Together, they support Chief Eric Watson’s vision of broader leadership and accountability.
Where Castaneda’s role keeps him in the public eye, Thomas’s position ensures the department’s foundation stays strong. The partnership mirrors the balance needed in modern policing: visible enforcement supported by behind-the-scenes strength.
For Thomas, the challenges ahead include managing resources in a city that expects high standards of policing without unlimited budgets. His attention to grant opportunities could bring new technology and training programs to Ruston. He will also guide the department’s policy updates, a critical function in an era when transparency and accountability are front-page concerns.
Recently, his many duties have included researching replacement duty gear for patrol officers, new uniform apparel, and special communications equipment for the special response team. His office is next to Chief Eric Watson’s, so he frequently called across the hall to handle delegated administrative and technical tasks.
Colleagues describe Thomas as family-oriented, pragmatic, and grounded. While his role has shifted from patrol car to office, his mindset hasn’t changed: service first.
While Thomas’s job at RPD isn’t particularly visible, he wants Ruston residents to know “I’m doing my best to make sure our officers have the best they can get.”
“He sees administration not as paperwork, but as another way to serve the officers and the community,” one colleague explained.
As Ruston grows, so do the demands on its police department. With Deputy Chief Ben Thomas ensuring the department runs smoothly behind the scenes, Ruston officers — and the community they protect — will continue to benefit from his steady, thoughtful leadership.
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