REAL TIME CRIME CENTER

Sergeant Shannon Harkins

Sergeant Shannon Harkins serves with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office as a Digital Forensic Examiner and Supervisor within the Criminal Investigations Division, where he leads both the Digital Forensics Lab and the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC).

As the RTCC Supervisor, he oversees real-time intelligence operations that support deputies and investigators in the field. He is also assigned as a United States Secret Service Task Force Officer, working alongside federal partners on complex investigations involving digital evidence.

With a law enforcement career spanning nearly three decades, Sgt. Harkins brings extensive experience across multiple disciplines, including patrol, corrections, crime scene investigations, K-9 operations, and narcotics enforcement. He has served as a K-9 handler in both detection and apprehension roles and worked with specialized units such as the Metro Narcotics Unit and interstate criminal enforcement teams.

In his current role, Sgt. Harkins manages advanced digital evidence operations, providing forensic analysis, investigative support, and real-time intelligence to local, state, and federal agencies. His expertise includes mobile device forensics, computer analysis, and the use of industry-leading forensic tools, ensuring investigations are thorough, accurate, and courtroom-ready.

Sgt. Harkins’ leadership, both in the Digital Forensics Lab and as supervisor of the RTCC, plays a critical role in enhancing OPSO’s investigative capabilities and strengthening the agency’s response to technology-driven crime.