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)]
HB 135 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Carrier
Abstract: Changes the qualifications for the position of deputy police chief in the city of Oakdale.
Present constitution creates a fire and police civil service system applicable to municipalities of over
13,000 in population and parishes and fire protection districts. Provides that the system is subject
to Art. XIV, ยง15.1 of the 1921 Constitution made statutory by the 1974 Constitution.
Present law creates and provides for two fire and police civil service systems: (1) one applicable to
any municipality which operates paid police and fire departments and which has a population of not
fewer than 13,000 persons; and (2) one applicable to any parish, fire protection district, or
municipality with a population of fewer than 13,000, but not fewer than 7,000 persons.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law relative to both systems, provides that the classified service shall comprise every
position, except those in the unclassified service to which the right of employee selection,
appointment, supervision, and discharge is vested in the police chief, subject to approval of the
appointing authority. Provides that the positions of police chief and assistant police chief shall be
in the classified service. Provides further with respect to which positions are in the classified and
unclassified service.
Present law additionally authorizes the governing authority to create, by ordinance, the competitive
classified position of deputy police chief. Provides that the right of selection, appointment,
supervision, and discharge is vested in the police chief, subject to approval of the appointing
authority. Further provides that the position of deputy police chief is not the same as the position
of assistant police chief as provided in present law.
Present law requires the deputy police chief to have at least eight years of full-time law enforcement
experience and to at least hold the rank of sergeant in the classified police service at the time of his
appointment. Provides exceptions for the cities of Jennings and St. Martinville.
Proposed law retains present law but provides an additional exception for the city of Oakdale.
Requires the deputy police chief to have at least three years of full-time law enforcement experience
and to have successfully completed a certified training program approved by the Peace Officer
Standards and Training Council.
Present law provides that any person who is appointed from a position in the classified police service to serve as deputy police chief does not forfeit his departmental or promotional seniority
accumulated to the date of his appointment and he continues to accumulate departmental or
promotional seniority during the time he holds the position of deputy police chief.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that the deputy police chief serves indefinitely in the classified competitive
position but requires that he be evaluated every three years by the police chief. Authorizes the police
chief to reconfirm the deputy police chief for another three-year period, or, at his discretion, demote
the deputy police chief to his former class of positions.
Proposed law retains present law but makes an exception for the city of Oakdale. Requires that the
deputy police chief be evaluated every year by the police chief. Authorizes the police chief to
reconfirm the deputy police chief for another one-year period, or, at his discretion, demote the deputy
police chief to his former class of positions.
(Amends R.S. 33:2541.1(C)(1); Adds R.S. 33:2541.1(B)(1)(d))