Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot introduced a plan to revamp what he calls a “top heavy” department, but it was taken under advisement by the Board of Aldermen at their meeting Tuesday.
The plan is to create three new positions: a jailer supervisor; a information and technology director; and a records supervisor.
“We basically have people in all three positions or performing these duties already,” he said.
The change would bring the positions into compliance with civil service rules, he said. A supervisor should be the same rank as the employees being supervised, he said.
There are four records clerks now. One of those clerks would become the information technology director and another the records supervisor.
There are five jailers and one of those would become a supervisor.
The department has seven lieutenant positions, which would be reduced to three.
“We are a little top heavy in the department as far as rank goes,” Fontenot said.
“I don’t want to do it in a situation where we would have to start demoting officers. I would like to do it through attrition as officers retire,” he said.
If the lieutenant positions are trimmed from seven to three and the other changes take place, Fontenot said there would be annual savings of $15,254. If the number of lieutenants stays at seven, the plan would cost an extra $4,664.
But if the retirements do not occur as anticipated, he would forgo hiring a police officer to make up the additional cost.
The current lieutenant duties are: three supervising patrol; one training; one intelligence-narcotics; one chief of detectives; and one administration, he said.
The change would have four sergeants to supervise each patrol shift with three lieutenants supervising the entire patrol operation, he said. Another sergeant would head the detectives, he said.
None of the Board members endorsed the plan during the meeting.
Alderwoman Germaine Simpson said, “You are telling me you are top heavy because you have too many lieutenants, but you are going to create three supervisor positions until those lieutenants retire.”
She added, “So, wouldn’t that make you more top heavy?” she asked.
Mayor Scott Fontenot said, “I think the people in Eunice want to see more people on the street. I know I would.”
Simpson and Board member Chad Andrepont said the plan should be reviewed by Steve Moosa who advises the city on it is finances.
Andrepont said the plan needs to be reviewed for its long term impacts.
Simpson commented further.
“I think this council did a great job at getting citizens to be on board with passing a tax to give the police department a raise and the citizens have done their part. Now it is time we show them some results for what they’ve done and not come back and constantly adding to the budget and asking for more,” she said.
“We are tired of people walking the street. Backpack bicyclists. They’re selling drugs in our face. It is overwhelming,” she said.
“We’ve got to get some order back in this city some how, some way,” she said.
The police chief said the city has a low crime rate and the plan is about the future.
Alderman Ernest Blanchard was critical of the chief for telling the news media recently the city must plan to raise police pay after Ville Platte announced it is raising its police starting pay to $15 an hour.
Chief Fontenot said he would be neglecting his duty if he didn’t inform the council and citizens on the issue.
The police chief also asked the Board to amend the police department’s budget.
The mayor said a budget amendment will be made later this year if necessary, but the police department’s budget is on pace to not need an amendment.
The police chief is doing a good job managing the budget, he said.
