Current:Home > MyCity of Lafayette names Paul Trouard as interim chief for its police department -WealthMindset Learning
City of Lafayette names Paul Trouard as interim chief for its police department
View
Date:2025-04-13 11:49:52
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — A southwest Louisiana city has a new leader of its police department following the resignation of its former chief.
Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Monique Boulet announced Tuesday that Capt. Paul Trouard will serve as the interim chief of the Lafayette Police Department during a national search to fill the permanent position, The Advocate reported.
Trouard, 50, has spent his entire 27-year law enforcement career at the Lafayette agency, where he was recently named assistant chief by former police chief Judith Estorge, who earlier this month resigned the position, citing personal reasons. Appointed in October 2022, Estorge was the city’s first female police chief. She will remain with the department.
“It’s an honor,” Trouard said of the appointment. “It’s been a long road. I just hope to move the department forward.”
Trouard spent about four years working in patrol, then about six years training recruits and other officers for field work. He also worked as a detective of financial crimes before moving to the department’s violent crime and homicide division, where he became a supervising sergeant and administrator. He eventually became a captain and in April, he was named assistant police chief.
The city of Lafayette suffered its deadliest year on record in 2023, with the police department investigating a record 29 homicide cases.
When asked how he planned to address the rise in violent crime, Trouard said he would push for targeted enforcement, a tool he regularly used while overseeing a precinct in the northwest part of the city. He also said he planned to look at the department’s reporting system, talk to first-line officers and use data analytics to track what crimes are happening when and where to determine what resources to deploy.
“You just start hitting that area, trying to target the different areas, the different types of crimes to try to reduce the violent crime,” Trouard said. “And that’s been very effective, and I would like to ramp that up. I’d like to do more of it. Now granted, we’re subject to our budget. With that said, what’s more important? Dropping crime? Or my budget right now?”
In addition, Trouard said he will open up communication within the department and the community to better understand their needs and wants from the agency.
Meanwhile, a national search for a qualified candidate will begin within the next 30 days, Boulet said Tuesday.
Trouard said he plans to be among the candidates seeking the permanent post.
“I think it’d be easier for me to step into the role,” Trouard said. “I’m not saying that I’m going to be the best person. You never know what’s going to happen in the future, and I’ve told the administration if I’m not exactly what you want for this position, don’t take me. I will still work at whatever capacity you desire.”
veryGood! (5169)
Related
- Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
- Stock market today: Dow drops 600 on weak jobs data as a global sell-off whips back to Wall Street
- Katie Ledecky cements her status as Olympic icon with 9th gold, 12 years after her first
- S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq end sharply lower as weak jobs report triggers recession fears
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- 5 people wounded in overnight shooting, Milwaukee police say
- Stephen Nedoroscik, 'pommel horse guy,' wins bronze in event: Social media reactions
- One Extraordinary (Olympic) Photo: Vadim Ghirda captures the sunset framed by the Arc de Triomphe
- US auto safety agency seeks information from Tesla on fatal Cybertruck crash and fire in Texas
- Intel shares slump 26% as turnaround struggle deepens
Ranking
- Euphoria's Hunter Schafer Says Ex Dominic Fike Cheated on Her Before Breakup
- When does Noah Lyles race? Olympic 100 race schedule, results Saturday
- Christina Hall, Rachel Bilson and More Stars Who’ve Shared Their Co-Parenting Journeys
- Sha’Carri Richardson overcomes sluggish start to make 100-meter final at Paris Olympics
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Cameron McEvoy is the world's fastest swimmer, wins 50 free
- Zac Efron Hospitalized After Swimming Pool Incident in Ibiza
- US and Russia tout prisoner swap as a victory. But perceptions of the deal show stark differences
Recommendation
'Meet me at the gate': Watch as widow scatters husband's ashes, BASE jumps into canyon
Christina Hall, Rachel Bilson and More Stars Who’ve Shared Their Co-Parenting Journeys
Christina Hall, Rachel Bilson and More Stars Who’ve Shared Their Co-Parenting Journeys
Chicken parade prompts changes to proposed restrictions in Iowa’s capital city
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
One Extraordinary (Olympic) Photo: Vadim Ghirda captures the sunset framed by the Arc de Triomphe
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham Shares Photo From Hospital After Breaking His Shoulder
Street artists use their art to express their feelings about Paris Olympics