by Wesley Harris
Dylan Castaneda, a Lincoln Parish native with more than a decade of service with the Ruston Police Department has jumped into his new role with both feet.
Castaneda, who oversees the Patrol Division, the Criminal Investigations Division, and the communications center, officially stepped into his new role this summer. His counterpart, Deputy Chief Ben Thomas, took over management of administrative functions to keep the department running smoothly.
“Dylan takes care of the boots on the ground, and I take care of the business side,” Thomas explained.
Castaneda’s journey in law enforcement began in 2012, when an uncle who volunteered with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office inspired him to join the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy. The experience, he said, hooked him immediately.
“I absolutely enjoyed it and was riding every weekend,” he recalled. “Ruston PD was the first department that hired me in 2013, and I haven’t looked back.”
Over the years, Castaneda worked as a RPD patrol officer, criminal investigator, and patrol supervisor before moving to the command staff. He credits his five years in the Criminal Investigations Division with sharpening his investigative skills, broadening his perspective, and building lasting professional networks.
Colleagues describe Castaneda as serious, focused, and methodical. While his reserved nature means he isn’t quick to crack jokes, Chief Eric Watson noted his deputy chief’s “wheels are always turning.”
Castaneda believes in leading from the front. Even in his new administrative role, he joins officers on late-night patrols. “I don’t want anyone to think I’m above them,” he said. “Working side by side builds morale and shows I’m invested.”
He begins each day by reviewing reports from the previous 24 hours, following up with investigators and the chief, and refining his to-do list. “Sometimes, I just get out of the office and ride with the guys,” he added. “It keeps me connected.”
Among his top goals are hiring more officers and expanding specialized divisions. Currently, patrol shifts average five or six officers; Castaneda hopes to raise that number to about ten. He also envisions doubling the department’s detective unit and establishing a real-time intelligence center equipped with advanced surveillance technology.
Community engagement is another priority. Castaneda acknowledges the “us versus them” mentality that sometimes arises in law enforcement but insists on addressing complaints, reviewing body camera footage, and reminding officers to treat citizens as they would their own family members.
“I want every interaction—whether it’s a call for service or a traffic stop—to be as positive as possible,” he said.
To further strengthen ties with residents, Ruston PD has launched a Citizens Police Academy from Sept. 16 to Oct. 14. The five-week program will introduce participants to patrol, investigations, special units, and dispatch operations, with opportunities for Q&A and hands-on learning.
Castaneda led a discussion of the patrol division in the first session. It’s an effort to demystify policing, he said, but noted the program is in its infancy and may evolve over time.
“It’s a work in progress,” he said, “but it’s a great way for the community to see what we do and why we do it.”
Castaneda, who holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from Louisiana Tech, says his education helps with technical writing, budgeting, and policy work. But above all, he credits his colleagues and their families.
“These officers put in long hours and genuinely care about this community,” he said. “And their families sacrifice so much to support them. I’m grateful for both.”
With his emphasis on staffing, innovation, and public trust, Deputy Chief Castaneda aims to help guide Ruston PD into a future where growth and community partnership go hand in hand.
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