Darrel LeJeune/ Basile Weekly
A segment of the recent meeting of the Basile mayor and town council focused on a request by Chief of Police Allen Ivory, Jr. to have Sgt. Van Comeaux terminated from the town’s police force. The request was made in written form with a copy of the reasons given to the mayor, council, town attorney, and town clerk.
According to the written statement, “on July 18, Sgt. Van Comeaux was placed on administrative leave, without pay, for violating Basile Police Dept. policy/procedure for use of force, specifically chemical weapons.”
The statement went on to explain that the violation occurred on the previous day, July 17, involving Augustus Kinta Ceaser, an inmate in the Basile jail.
Chief Ivory referred the case to the D.A.’s office and agreed with the office’s recommendation that Comeaux be placed on administrative leave pending investigation of the incident.
Ivory then contacted the La. State Police to request an investigation of the matter. The state’s investigator referred the case to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Dept., which agreed to conduct the investigation.
As of August 13, the day of the town meeting, the investigation was complete but under review.
In addition, Ivory’s statement claimed that Comeaux has violated several policies and procedures on numerous occasions. Those alleged violations include insubordination (failure to report as ordered), abuse of sick leave privileges by failing to provide doctor’s excuses, misuse of secondary employment privileges, and use of force.
Despite the list of allegations from Ivory, the council tabled the matter of termination pending documentation of the alleged offenses.
Comeaux was present at the meeting and argued that his administrative leave should be with pay. No action was taken.