RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 66 (HB 184) 2024 Regular Session McFarland
Existing law provides that the officers of every municipality governed by the provisions of
the Lawrason Act (mayor-board of alderman form of government) shall be a mayor,
aldermen, a chief of police, a tax collector, and a clerk.
Existing law provides for at-large election of the mayor and police chief. Provides for
exceptions with respect to the chief of police in certain municipalities.
New law provides an exception for the office of police chief in the village of Calvin.
Authorizes the board of aldermen, upon recommendation of the mayor, to abolish the office
of police chief or determine that the chief shall be appointed rather than elected. Provides
that such an action is not effective until the end of the term of the police chief in office at the
time of that action or when a vacancy occurs in the office.
Existing law (R.S. 33:362(C)) provides that any department of such a municipality, other
than the police department in a municipality with an elected chief of police, shall be created,
abolished, merged, or consolidated by the board of aldermen upon the written
recommendation of the mayor.
New law provides that, if the office of police chief and the police department are abolished
pursuant to new law and existing law, the mayor and board of aldermen may contract with
any law enforcement entity or officer within Winn Parish for police services.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Adds R.S. 33:381(C)(36))