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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE BILL NO. 18
BY SENATOR LAFLEUR
MUNICIPALITIES. Provides relative to the chief of police in the town of Simmesport.
(8/15/11)
AN ACT1
To enact 33:381(C)(31), relative to the town of Simmesport; to provide that the chief of2
police shall be appointed; to provide for the time of the initial appointment; to3
provide for the method of appointment and for the salary, term, duties, and4
supervision of the police chief; to provide for the qualifications of the police chief;5
and to provide for related matters.6
Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published.7
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8
Section 1. R.S. 33:381(C)(31) is hereby enacted to read as follows: 9
SUBPART D. SELECTION OF MUNICIPAL OFFICERS10
ยง381. Municipal officers11
* * *12
C.13
* * *14
(31)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the15
office of police chief in the town of Simmesport shall be an appointive and not16
an elective office. The mayor, with the approval of the board of aldermen, shall17 SB NO. 18
SLS 11RS-75 ORIGINAL
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
appoint the police chief. However, no such appointment shall be effective until1
the end of the term of the chief of police in office at the time of that action,2
unless the office is vacant or filled by an officer temporarily appointed at the3
time of such action by the board. The board of aldermen, upon recommendation4
of the mayor, shall establish the chief's salary and shall, by ordinance, establish5
the duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of the office. The police chief's6
term of office shall be concurrent with that of the appointing mayor and7
aldermen. The mayor shall, in accordance with such ordinances, supervise and8
direct the administration of the office, and the chief shall report directly to the9
mayor.10
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the chief11
of police of the town of Simmesport shall have two years of full-time law12
enforcement experience and shall successfully complete a certified training13
program approved by the Council on Peace Officers Standards and Training.14
In addition the chief shall successfully pass a council approved comprehensive15
examination within one calendar year from the date of the initial employment16
as chief of police.17
* * *18
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by James Benton.
DIGEST
Present law provides that the officers of every municipality governed by the provisions of
the Lawrason Act (mayor-board of aldermen form of government) shall be a mayor,
alderman, a chief of police, a tax collector, a clerk, and a street commissioner. Generally
provides for election, at large, of the police chief. Provides for appointment of a police chief
in certain specified municipalities.
Present law alternatively provides that the office of police chief shall be filled by mayoral
appointment with approval of the board of aldermen if a majority of the municipal electors
approve the change. Provides for an election on the question only upon a petition directed
to the board of aldermen and signed by at least 25% of such electors.
Proposed law provides an exception for the police chief in Simmesport. Provides that such
police chief shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the board of aldermen by
majority vote. Provides for appointment to be effective upon expiration of the current term
or immediately if there is a vacancy or the office is filled by a temporary appointment.
Provides that the police chief's term shall be concurrent with that of the mayor and aldermen. SB NO. 18
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Proposed law provides that the board of aldermen, upon recommendation of the mayor, shall
establish the salary of the office and shall, by ordinance, establish the duties, responsibilities,
and qualifications of the office and that the chief shall report directly to the mayor.
Proposed law provides that the chief of police shall have two years of full-time law
enforcement experience and shall successfully complete a certified training program
approved by the Council on Peace Officers Standards and Training.
Proposed law provides that the chief of police shall successfully pass a council approved
comprehensive examination within one calendar year from the date of the initial
employment.
Effective August 15, 2011.
(Adds R.S. 33:381(C)(31))