The Chief's Blog

4/17/14

Open letter to the town of Arnaudville:

I want to thank all who supported me through their votes and also through their words before the election and since the election.  For those who did not support my run, I offer a commitment to serve you, protect you and respect you as I will all citizens of Arnaudville – without prejudice or bias.  My door is open, and I invite anyone with concerns, ideas, or suggestions to come and express them to me.

 

In that vein, my detractors have engaged in name-calling, mockery and jeering.  I’ve been called “old man”, along with several other names that cannot be repeated in mixed company.  But, my favorite and most current name is Special Ed.  And I want them to know that no better honor could I have than to be in the company of some of my favorite people.  First, my daughter, who is deaf, and had her share of teasing, but now teaches “special ed” students in Breaux Bridge.  She and her husband presented us with twins last year, and our grandson, Lucas is also deaf, and will go through years of “special ed” services.  My wife Ginger and I were instrumental in keeping a private deaf school opened for almost 25 years in New Orleans, so we have been connected to the special children who came through that school – deaf, autistic, and developmentally delayed.  So, for those who have bestowed this name upon me as a way to ridicule or mock me, I say go ahead.

 

In the days and weeks to come, Arnaudville will see professionalism and competency rising out of the Arnaudville Police Department.  They will see response with compassion;  patrolling with more purpose – monitoring our elderly and disabled, serving the needs of our business community; and applying our laws even-handedly.  I will enforce zero tolerance for gossip and the leaking of confidential information. This is a very small town, and the gossip mongers among us may not ever be silenced, but they will have no willing partner in me, as a listener or as a participant.

I look forward to working with the Mayor and all members of this council.  I welcome each of you to share your wisdom, your opinions and suggestions that will make the Police Department better and our services provided more professional.  You are all seasoned -- as citizens and as elected officials, so I will be grateful for your assistance in the coming weeks, which most of you have already offered. 

I close with the prayer that God be with me and with all of you as we work together to make our great little town a greater little town.

Respectfully,

Eddy J. LeCompte

Chief of Police - Arnaudville, LA