Arnaundville Police Department
Prêt à protéger, fier de servir
Prêt à protéger, fier de servir
Ready to protect. Proud to Serve
Ready to protect. Proud to Serve
The Chief's Blog
The Chief's Blog
Blog
Policing Arnaudville
| Posted on June 10, 2019 at 6:35 PM |
comments (11)
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 As I have been out in the community visiting with citizens
and sharing my positions, I have also enjoyed listening to them share their’s. On several occasions, the misinformation,
possibly the misunderstandings that they reveal is puzzling. I have been told that a mayoral candidate is stating
or implying that once in office, the Arnaudville Police Department would be an
item to consider for major cuts or disbanding altogether. I would like to assume that any such pledge
is being misunderstood or even completely inaccurate. However, I find it necessary to respond to
such a notion. Small towns remain the choice among nearly 45 million people
for many reasons – jobs, family ties, easier lifestyle, raising children or
wanting to live beyond the urban areas. The police officers who work in these areas are often the
victims of stereotypes found in t.v. shows like Andy Griffith portrayed as
quaint characters less skilled or trained than their counterparts found in
urban crime centers, and thus expendable or non-essential. When it’s election time, candidates who want to assert their
fiscal conservatism or want to portray themselves as bold agents of change, talk
of eliminating employees, abolishing or consolidating departments, or slashing
services. Often they offer solutions
like out-sourcing, contracting or merging with regional or state
agencies. In the case of a police department, such moves inevitably lead to
more crime, inefficiency, less community loyalty, and significantly longer
response time to calls for service. In our case, I have been informed by both
St. Martin and St. Landry Sheriff's Departments that this would likely be the
case – not necessarily due their lack of interest, but due to lack of patrol officers, the remoteness of our community, and scheduling issues. If you don’t
believe me, or the research I’ve provided, just ask New Iberia what happened when the police department was abolished. Despite the claim that we can save money by eliminating departments, or in some cases, eliminating officers, according to
the Bureau of Justice Statistics, small rural community policing will remain an
important part of our national fabric for the near future. We do know that when small communities have looked to decrease
their law enforcement expenditures, at the same time, criminals have
continued to act out, and increase their activities. Where local law enforcement is not well established and visible, a vacuum for crime is created. If we think we have a drug and theft problem now. Abolish the police department, and wait. As a former Jefferson Parish sheriff deputy and
patrol officer, I would respond to more calls and write more reports in one
night than Arnaudville does in a month.
But, proportionate to population, the FBI data tells us that communities of 25,000 or less have seen a whopping 18.3% increase in crime. According to Ohio State University study,
“rural areas today have less crime than their urban counterparts, but they also
have more crime than they ever did before, and their crime problems are
serious.” What’s even more alarming, and something that municipal
leaders advocating for a decrease in personnel or disbanding a department fail
to appreciate, is that officer deaths in communities of 10,000 or less are
high, second only to those in large urban centers. Over a ten year period, the rate of
officers killed in rural areas was greater than that for large urban areas. So what does it say when the town leadership doesn't support or appreciate those who literally step in harm's way every day, sometimes with less pay than the average receptionist or file clerk? I am one of many small town police chiefs who have come from
a large metro area that recognize the distinct and unexpected challenges we
have in Arnaudville. While I have the
support of St. Landry Parish and St. Martin Parish for technical,
investigative, narcotic, and homicide related issues, I continually remind our town leaders of these facts. ·
lack of immediately available backup officers ·
limited peer interaction (officers are often on
their own) · lower pay than our neighboring police agencies ·
unaffordable health care and lack of adequate
benefits · lack of safe and adequate vehicles and
standard police equipment If a mayoral or council candidate makes any pledge or promise related to the Arnaudville
Police Department, it should be a pledge to strengthen the department through
competitive pay and benefits, through advocating for proper tools, equipment,
and training. Any talk or consideration
to eliminate the Arnaudville Police Department or decrease the number of
officers, I view as an unfortunate result of political posturing on the backs
of our citizens’ safety and protection.
As I have said before, playing politics with your safety and protection
will not end well. Ask New Iberia. Vote for Arnaudville’s future. Vote for your protection. |
Brick by Brick - Part II - The Role of Chief
| Posted on May 27, 2019 at 2:57 PM |
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For those who are of the notion that the police chief
should conform to their idea of a job description, or to history and tradition, I remind them that
the position of Police Chief is an elected and administrative one, not to
confuse it with a rank and file patrol officer.
The position does not even require anyone with police experience at all, although most citizens would agree it is preferable! That’s why Arnaudville has had a history of chiefs and officers who were good men, but who were both
literally and functionally illiterate. To further enlighten some regarding my
patrol duties, implying that I should be on a scheduled "shift", I say that in reality, I am
on every shift, 24/7/365. While I do note that patrolling is NOT the primary function of a Police Chief, I am called by
dispatchers and officers at any hour on any day, regardless of my
location to assist on a consultative basis or physically back them up on a call. I am not complaining, but I receive citizens at my back door, and on my cell
phone any time, day or night - weekends, holidays, etc., to hear their issues. My responsibility is to lead, to develop and
maintain policies and procedures, to enforce the latest laws from the state and
ordinances from the town. I require all
employees to have a working knowledge of the criminal and civil laws of the
State of Louisiana, and to know the difference between civil and criminal laws. They need to know the Ordinances of the Town of Arnaudville, and the
Arnaudville Police Department Operational Policies and Codes of Conduct. I acknowledge that not everyone is pleased with me. In
five years, I have made mistakes. I have
ruffled feathers. I disrupted the status
quo. But, one thing you can rely on is
that I have continued to move toward progress, accepting the constructive criticism, taking
it to heart, but not letting it sidetrack progress. I will continue to lead the
department in a way that prioritizes the needs and safety of our officers, so
that they can meet the needs of the people they serve.
I will be presenting
a budget that includes raises for my employees. I will defend it vigorously,
and invite any fair-minded citizen to support my recommendations, and any council
member to fully consider the ramifications for our community when staffing and
salary structure decisions are based entirely on finances and old traditions
and claims, and not on what is best for the citizens and those who serve them
in a 21 century environment.
Show me a town’s budget, and I’ll tell you what its priorities are. |
Brick by Brick - Part I
| Posted on May 23, 2019 at 5:27 PM |
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When I was elected, I presumed that I would walk into a department fully functional. Not so. There appeared to be no current standard operating procedures and no working relationships with either St. Landry or St. Martin Parish Sheriff Departments. The town-issued phone I was given was wiped clean, as well as the office computer. The so-called evidence room was not secure and records were incomplete or missing. Case files were missing, misplaced or grossly insufficient. Prosecution rates were practically non-existent due to poorly written police reports that would not hold up in court. Aside from the state of the department, much of the equipment was inadequate for proper and professional application. Uniform standards were lax; there was no requirement for wearing vests, and weapons were inconsistent. The department's vehicles and radios were not properly aligned with law enforcement standards that focus on safety for the officer and functionality and utility for the work required. Despite these deficiencies, the men and women of our department showed enthusiasm and an overall yearning for a higher standard of professionalism. Most were eager to take on a "rebuilding" of the APD alongside me, and quite willing to conform to the new standards. We moved together in the direction of progress, with little to no promises of reward. I get some good-natured teasing for driving that "toy" car. After all, I am the Police Chief. But, I drive that car because the best equipped units should go to the men and women who are more likely to confront danger on any given day or hour. While building up the physical aspects of our department, I was also creating and promoting a new image, instilling pride in both the men and women of the Arnaudville Police Department and the citizens of our town. I will be presenting a budget that includes raises for my employees. I
will defend it vigorously, and invite any fair-minded citizen to support my
recommendations, and any council member to fully consider the ramifications for
our community when staffing and salary structure decisions are based entirely on
finances and old traditions and claims, and not on what is best for the
citizens and those who serve them in a 21st century environment. Show me a town’s budget, and I’ll tell you
what its priorities are. |
Don't Play Politics With People's Safety
| Posted on August 24, 2018 at 5:25 PM |
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For the past 4 years, I have focused on two major areas.
As any CEO or manager will do when coming into a new job or
company, I evaluated the town’s needs against the department’s resources and
discovered a clear correlation between the resources and the capability of our
department. Without the resources, there is no capacity for excellence. Fewer resources (including
human) equaled less competence in performance of our mission. Protocols, Policies and Procedures were reviewed:
I
also looked at the “culture” of the
department – morale, attitudes, ability to work together or with others, ethics,
the relationship with the community-al-large; was the law applied equally to
all people? What kind of reporting was
done, and was it up to a prosecutorial standards? In other words, would police reports hold up in court? How was the cooperation and collaboration
with neighboring law enforcement agencies – what kind of relationship did APD
have with St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office and St. Martin Sheriff’s Office? There were significant gaps and deficiencies
in all of these areas. Some deficiencies were
blatantly clear, and others were hidden from view, to be discovered and
corrected later. In reviewing and taking corrective action in all of these
areas, I also had to assess Arnaudville, our citizens, the demographics, the
crime rate, the business climate, tourism and how all of that can determine how
many officers are needed at any given time.
Quite simply, four was never going to be enough, six might be a minimum,
and as situations and circumstances changed, more than six could be a future
possibility. What I did know with
certainty: Arnaudville was in need of a
new, and higher set of standards, along with an increase in awareness by our town council and mayor. And
so I began the work, with the outward support and encouragement of the elected
officials. My work resulted in these improvements, among many others:
After 4 years, and many changes, the enforcement of the law has increased exponentially. We are recognized by small and medium communities as having one of the best improved departments in the state. We are respected, and I am often asked to share our experience with other communities! While these improvements are tangible and impressive, there
is still much to accomplish when addressing the human element of law
enforcement. If I am to fight for the
safety and protection of our town, I cannot stop short by not addressing those
men and women who wear the Arnaudville Police uniform and serve. Within my responsibilities are their well-being that includes fair
compensation. Salary and benefits are
directly related to retention and recruitment efforts. I am satisfied that officers are not leaving
because of poor management, deficient equipment or bad morale. Police officers and dispatchers are among the
47% of the population who are defined as the “working poor”. In Arnaudville, this huge percent is
struggling to meet basic needs like food, housing, childcare, health care, and transportation. Most end up choosing what to sacrifice, and
many live one emergency away from a crisis.
No one should have to choose between food or healthcare, between
childcare or housing. Yet, some of our
elderly do; single moms do; the clerk at the store does; the CNA at the nursing
home does; the firefighter and the teacher does. And guess what? Police officers and dispatchers do. Surveying several police departments throughout our region,
I found that those that have the smallest turnover rate are those that offer
medical insurance. Sure, the town boasts
that we pay half of the premium for the employee who must go out and get the
insurance. Half is still restrictive,
and unaffordable, and so many just simply do without, and leave the first
chance they can for a department that will provide it. If given the choice between health care and
retirement, I predict that most would choose healthcare- that element that affects
the here and now, their every day lives.
This single issue is bleeding our police department of good, dedicated
officers and cannot be ignored indefinitely. Bolstering my argument are a few facts. No one on the town council has had the
benefit of police training, is informed on best practices for police
departments, or works inside a law enforcement agency. While the council approves the Chief’s
budget, it CANNOT manage or dictate the management of that budget. It is separate from the town’s budget in that
respect. The council approves hiring based on the recommendation of the
Chief, but cannot directly hire or fire an employee of the department. It may be a slender, yet useful opportunity for a candidate
for mayor to declare that we did fine with only four on the road in the past
(for 4 shifts). The statement may be an attempt to appear frugal or fiscally
responsible, or to feed a political agenda, but for whatever reason, it is
without full consideration or acknowledgement of the reality of everything I’ve
just cited, or based on the vast improvements I’ve made to our town police
department, much of which relied on increasing staff. Unlike the past, today, none of our officers are sitting in the
office; none are sleeping on the side of the road; none are idly sliding
through a shift – and my expertise says we are still needing a full complement
of officers to take care of 24 hours of calls, patrolling, field training, and
relief, AND provide crucial backup in a much more threatening society and culture. Authority over the elected Chief’s operation is limited, and
for good reason. No council member is in
the position to assess or determine the optimal structure, personnel
requirements, scheduling, duties, or policies within the department. The citizens of the town elect the Chief, and
by so doing, must trust his capabilities related to management, planning, and
assessing the needs of the community and the resources required to properly and
adequately address those needs. An
increase in personnel, whether it be dispatchers, reserves or officers should
be assumed by all to be a deliberate and well- considered action by the Chief,
and should not be met with indirect threats during election-time
posturing. I say to every candidate - from alderman to mayor: Don’t play politics with
people’s safety, security or property. Don’t look for financial shortcuts in an
already tight operation, but, instead give us evidence that you are working to
find ways to keep it staffed with people who aren’t looking to leave at the
first chance. |
Standing America Back Up, One Community At A Time
| Posted on December 11, 2015 at 5:39 PM |
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I was honored last night to be among some of our community’s
most patriotic heroes. The Arnaudville VFW dinner pays tribute to service men and women, veterans, first responders and law
enforcement. The highlight of the night
was watching Captain Clay Higgins, St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Public Information Officer, and Crime Stoppers spokesman, receive the Law Enforcement Person of the Year Award. His celebrity, something he never sought, is
overshadowed when you meet him, by his big heart and spirit, his passion and
love of the job, and his authenticity and genuine desire to serve two
principles: his belief in the
constitution, and his belief in the power of redemption
for the criminal, who he sees as an equal in the eyes of God. He spoke to the crowd with humility, landing
his word, characteristically dry, with a steady cadence on a room full of hushed listeners. As I sat and listened as Captain Higgins delivered a moving
and inspiring speech, I could not help but reflect on what his message meant to
a small community like Arnaudville. I’ve
sat through many speeches, but this message was clearly meant to spur people to
action. He cited that America has fallen, and it is up to its citizens to “stand
America back up”. He gave an abbreviation
of this talk a few nights before at the Arnaudville Neighborhood Watch meeting,
speaking to a crowd of 40 citizens, the largest ever. In my judgment, it’s not enough to love one’s country; it’s
not sufficient to give awards or applaud those who completed a task or
performed a duty. While all the
recognition is good and validates the efforts and intentions of the recipient,
enough will only be enough when every citizen, young and old, regardless of religion,
race or gender turns their expressed patriotism into active citizenship. In our last election, a majority of registered voters did
not vote. Why? In the latest research, Louisiana still has not
reached the national percentage of high school graduation rates; an astounding
number of our middle school students are still not achieving math and reading
proficiency levels that will foster academic success. Almost half of our adults can be considered
functionally illiterate. Our state is at the top in the nation for domestic
violence, infant mortality rate, and childhood poverty. Poverty is creeping up
on the once secure middle class, with higher unemployment rates, smaller
trained workforce, and an industry of predatory lenders that preys on the financially
strapped working poor. My wife, the
director of the St. Landry-Evangeline United Way managed the recent FoodNet
Food Drive for St. Landry Parish, and food donations were down by half – 4 tons
collected as opposed to 8 tons the previous year – to be distributed to nine
local pantries. While the need is
greater, the contributions were lower. How does this litany of ailments relate to patriotism? I’ll tell you. The strength of a country lies
in an active, engaged citizenry – a citizenry that relies on each other to find
solutions, to look out for one another, to offer more than sympathy or pity,
but who reads to or tutors struggling students, helps train people for
employable skills, who cooks a little extra for a neighbor in need, who studies
the candidates and the issues to make informed decisions, who takes their
freedoms and right to vote seriously, to join the neighborhood watch to help
the police and see that crime goes down or doesn’t get a chance to take
root. While we wave our flags and
proudly proclaim our patriotism, the country thirsts for the quenching rain of
action and activism. Find a need, see if
you have the capacity to fill it, the talent to share, the voice to be
heard. When we couple our love of
country with our willingness to engage, America will be “stood back up”. |
Mr. Lagrange, Thanks!
| Posted on August 19, 2015 at 10:59 AM |
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When a law enforcement officer receives praise from a
citizen, it is not only flattering, but it serves to bolster confidence,
validate their career choice, and create a desire to even do better. One of Arnaudville’s citizens, Mr. Carl Lagrange’s
comments on social media did all of the above.
I proudly and humbly include it in my blog. Mr. Lagrange writes: “I can't say enough
good about this man, our chief Eddy J. LeCompte. And, frankly,
I could care less if some disagree. I respect his philosophy of law enforcement.
Simply put, he has the wisdom few subscribe to. An officer's job is not to
oppress the people by inflicting upon them the letter of the law regarding
minor infractions, but to maintain the peace, rather, by use of police
discretion. Hence, the phrase "keeping the peace by use of relation with
the people he and his officers swore an oath to uphold rather than being
tyrannical with the power bestowed them." The job of an officer is to see
to it that the law abiding be reminded of the rules we all in our imperfect
humanity are for our good and that officers being people too understand that
and have no compunction to make our lives harder than they already are.
Therefore, not every encounter is necessarily one his officers are adamant be a
punishment. More often, only a civil and respectful discourse informing we
civilians to be more conscious of our societal contract and after be on our
way. The letter of the law is reserved for those individuals who have no
respect regarding that contract and so are deserving the legal system hold them
accountable. Such is the wisdom regarding his philosophy in that it promotes
good will and a positive relationship between those who serve our interests and
the people. Well done, chief. Society could use more public servants with this
mindset.” Speaking as your humble servant, I can take little credit
for Mr. Lagrange’s claims – about wisdom – it comes with age! But, aside from the age, it comes from
listening and a willingness to admit fault, change direction, and learn the
lessons that failures bring. What Mr. Lagrange refers to as my “philosophy of law
enforcement” caused me to reflect. I
have never defined a “philosophy” per se.
I just operate out of instinct and gut, under the inducement of the “law”. Taking an oath is one thing, but applying
that oath to common sense, respect for the citizen, empathy in some cases, and confidence
in the training and experience makes for a good cop. There is a theory that cops tend to be “alpha
males”, choosing a career that allows them to demonstrate authority,
aggression, and sometimes brutality – all traits that are enhanced by, and sometimes protected by a badge. But, in my
experience, the good ones effectively balance authority with humility, aggression
with heart, and harshness with a desire to help. At least, this describes the majority of the
officers I have known. This kind of
value system is essential for a Chief or Sheriff who leads a department because
he or she is responsible for creating a culture within the system that
ultimately is felt and is visible on the street and through the eyes of the
public. Regarding the references made to “the letter of the law”, we
should know the letter of the law, use that knowledge as a baseline for discernment
when faced with a “law-breaker”. We are
human, fallible and subject to mistakes.
Our officers act within the parameters and structure of the laws they
are obligated to defend and uphold.
Using a stop to correct behavior is also an opportunity to educate, to
engage the citizen, and to create a positive image – not only for themselves,
but for the department and for the town of Arnaudville. Mr. Lagrange, I appreciate your words, but more than that, I
appreciate that your post lent itself to further reflection. And just as your
post served to commend me, and the work I’m doing, I trust that you will be just
as willing to point out when we fail to achieve your expectations. |
The Lawrason Act -- What is it?
| Posted on January 26, 2015 at 11:47 AM |
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As I have taken office, I have learned much about our
municipality’s form of government, which is governed by the Lawrason Act. The Lawrason Act was adopted in 1898 to
provide uniform guidelines to towns and villages for governing. Almost 250 towns and municipalities follow
the Lawrason Act, Arnaudville being among them. On several occasions, we ask our mayor and alderman to
enact, or provide for many things, some of which require referring to the Lawrason Act. So, when the citizens ask,
suggest, or demand that our town government act, those citizens are frustrated,
sometime angry when they perceive that nothing is done. I have also been frustrated at times. I am a firm believer that knowledge is power. I also believe that citizens have the
obligation to engage their elected officials in a respectful, yet assertive way
to get answers, reasons or results. One
way to understand how your town governs is to refer to the Lawrason Act. I have included the link to what I believe is
a great format that spells out the Lawrason Act, and how we utilize it in
running our town. It is in a Q&A
format, which I think makes it easier to read.
I invite my fellow citizens to review it. |
Neighborhood Watch Tips
| Posted on September 25, 2014 at 6:55 PM |
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Crime prevention means being aware of your environment and remaining alert to situations that could make you vulnerable to crime. We cannot list specific measures that will protect you from every threatening situation, which may arise. Instead, we hope to teach you how to think "Crime Prevention" in day-to-day living. The suggestions presented should not be thought of as a list of crime prevention measures, but as examples of common sense behavior that will help you to make life safer and more secure.
SUMMARY We cannot do this job alone. As a member of this community, you can help by calling us when you have a security-related problem or if you witness an incident occurring. Get to know us better and help form that teamwork that will help make Arnaudville a more secure and safe environment. |
We're All in the Same Boat, So Let's Row Together
| Posted on August 8, 2014 at 2:01 PM |
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8/8/14 I attended the Louisiana Municipal Association Conference in
Baton Rouge last week, and found the experience enlightening. I had earlier attended the Louisiana
Association of Chiefs of Police. As with any profession, one can find a
professional organization made up of peers, experts, novices, and retirees, and
attending those conferences and gatherings will enhance your knowledge. Admitting that I don’t know everything about
what I do, nor have experience in every conceivable scenario, I feel it is my
duty and obligation to take every opportunity to glean from others, gain from
their experience, and yes, be open to new concepts, new methods and ideas. Attending such conferences can also serve as
a valuable networking tool, and occasionally result in dividends and benefits
that would not normally come knocking on your door. At both gatherings, I was able to network with other Chiefs,
Mayors, and council members, as well as state officials and experts. I visited dozens of exhibits, talked to many
vendors, and brought home a stack of material.
But, more than the casual meetings, I found that when I spoke about our
wonderful community, the needs of our people, and the essential upgrades to our
police department, I was met with interested listeners, and several people
willing to assist me in attaining some of those upgrades. My wife has taught me that a donation you don’t
receive is the one you didn’t ask for; so, I am not too proud to ask! Guess you could say that a common theme at both conferences
was the emphasis on working together, not just getting along for the sake of
peace, but to actually work together to tackle issues, and that means setting
aside personal biases and prejudices, listening with respect to the voices of
others, and presenting to the community that elected you a body of elected
officials that really are able to work together for the common good. As in any venture you set out for, any goal you set, or any
trial you may be going through, we were not met to do it alone. We really are in the same boat. Whether it is a mayor, an alderman or a
police chief, the key to moving the boat forward is that all rows in unison and
in the same direction, understanding that each must maintain a level of independence. But, for the sake of our community, the
families we serve and the children under our care, we must have as our number
one priority – working together, asking
for help when we need it, and respecting everyone in the boat. |
A New Place to Play...
| Posted on June 8, 2014 at 12:36 AM |
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I'm coming up two months in this position. There have been several "surprises", but nothing that can't be handled or resolved. But, on the other hand, I think others have been surprised at the progress we are seeing so soon. Procedures and protocols have been established that will result in better record keeping, and better service to the community. Senior Services will provide extra monitoring for our senior citizens living alone or with medical conditions. Neighborhood assessments are conducted by our officers while on patrol to note any irregularities such as signs down, trash or debris, pot holes, malfunctioning street or traffic lights, etc. Several other initiatives have begun. I am pleased that I was able to suggest to the Town Council that we convert the unused tennis courts next to the police station into basketball courts. I have had cameras mounted at the neighboring fire station, and the courts will be up and ready in the next few days for the children of Arnaudville. The kids passing in front of my house are very excited to begin playing on a big court. While some may argue that it is not the role of a Police Chief to cater to the needs of the old and the young, I see it differently. "To Serve and Protect" means more than patrolling, writing tickets, and making arrests. Security is sometimes just a feeling you have when you trust someone to check up on you. Safety means that there is a safe environment for people to live in and children to play in. When children are provided a safe, enjoyable place to play, they are less likely to be in trouble because of boredom or bad environments. It is our duty to facilitate a safe and secure town; a town where the citizens trust their police, and where police interact and become part of the community, a friend to the elderly and to the young. I stand by my philosophy and will continue in this direction. |