DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
St. Germain HB No. 238
Abstract: Provides that the position of assistant chief of police for the city of Plaquemine shall
be in the unclassified position.
Present law (R.S. 33:2531) establishes a civil service system applicable to police departments in
cities with a population of 7,000 to 13,000 persons (which as of the 2010 federal decennial
census includes the city of Plaquemine). Present law specifies which positions in a police
department are part of the unclassified service; generally, any position which includes law
enforcement responsibilities, except an elected police chief, is in the classified service.
Proposed law retains present law except provides that the position of assistant police chief in the
city of Plaquemine shall be in the unclassified service.
Proposed law provides that if a person is appointed from a position in the classified police
service to serve as assistant chief of police, he shall not forfeit his seniority and shall continue to
accumulate seniority during the time he holds the position of assistant chief of police.
Proposed law further provides that if a person resigns from the position of assistant chief of
police or is terminated for any reason other than malfeasance in office, he shall be eligible to
return to the same position in the classified service in which he was employed immediately
preceding his appointment as assistant chief. If the position has been filled or no longer exists,
the department shall employ him in a comparable position.
(Adds R.S. 33:2572)