Once a new Lafayette Police Department Chief is chosen, one of his/her first tasks will be to choose a deputy chief.

During the Lafayette Consolidated Government council meeting tonight, the council voted unanimously to approve a resolution--sponsored by Mayor-President Joel Robideaux-- to create the position of deputy chief within the Lafayette Police Department.

Robideaux told the council in researching the position he found other police departments in the area have a deputy chief that aids in leadership tasks that may spread the chief thin.

More and more demands are being placed on our police force," Robideaux told the council. "There is a lot of administrative duties that are part of the leadership and the community policing is, in and of itself, more than a full-time job."

The LCG Police and Fire Civil Service Board has already approved the addition of the position.

Council Chair Jay Castille said he has served under deputy chiefs and assistant chiefs in his professional career. He said the leadership model that was better suited included a deputy chief.

Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux, who served on the Fire and Police Civil Service Board, said the previous administration had discussed a similar resolution but chose to leave the decision to the new administration and a new chief.

Boudreaux said the addition of the position will show support from the council for Lafayette's law enforcement officers.

Interim Police Chief Reginald Thomas, who is being passed over for the chief position because of educational requirements, was not mentioned during the meeting.

The final decision of who will fill the spot will ultimately be the choice of  LPD's new chief.

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