The search for a new police chief in Lafayette could soon be reopened if the state Civil Service Board approves a request submitted by Mayor-President Josh Guillory. A spokesperson for the Guillory administration tells KATC that they are "hopeful" the board will allow the search to reopen, adding that if it does, the search will be expanded to reach more potential candidates.
The previous search was conducted from June 1 through July 1 of this year and resulted in four applicants, all from the Acadiana area. Despite Guillory previously pledging to conduct a nationwide search for a new chief, KATC Investigates learned that the position wasn't posted to industry-related websites or the media site LCG advertised with until June 19, 11 days before the deadline.
Guillory later said at a press conference that, although he was thankful for the applicants, he wasn't happy there were only four and said he would work with Civil Service to try and expand the search.
If the Civil Service Board approves Guillory's request, the administration will re-advertise the position for a longer period of time and on a more national scale.
Reopening the search is "nothing against the four we currently have; we want to make sure we have the right person to fill the position," LCG Chief Communications Officer Jamie Angelle told KATC. "So if we can expand the search a bit and make sure we have a good selection and variety, that's what we'll do. When you're looking for a chief, you want to make sure you absolutely have the right person. The previous search wasn't expansive enough to get that variety."
If the request is denied, the selection committee will choose from the current four applicants.
"We're confident that they won't." But if they do, "We believe that the four applicants that applied are capable and we would pick the best of those," explained Angelle.
The four candidates for chief are retired Lafayette Police Guy LeBreton, retired Louisiana State Police Lieutenant Lt. Eric Burson, current LPD public information officer Sgt. Wayne Griffin, and LPD Sgt. Paul Trouard.
The position has been vacant since the beginning of the year, when former LPD chief Toby Aguillard announced he would resign following Guillory's request for him to do so.
According to The Current, Guillory's request has been placed on the Civil Service Board's August 12 agenda.
READ MORE: Applicants for Lafayette Police chief are all from Acadiana
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