Central Cannot Afford a Full-Time Police Department - But We CAN Afford Smarter, Stronger Public Safety

Originally posted December 8, 2025 at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576266433062&notif_id=1769844702202955&notif_t=page_user_activity&ref=notif

There has been a lot of chatter lately about a full-time police department. One of the most common asked questions I get from voters - what is your position on a full-time police department? Let me be clear: Central cannot afford a full-time police department. Families are struggling with affordability. Small businesses are struggling with rising costs. Retirees are stretched thin (I know because I am one!). Government must live within the same financial reality as its citizens.

The current police administration has proposed multiple models for a full-time police department, including a blended force of 27 full-time officers and 16 part-time officers at an estimated annual cost of $4 million: That figure does NOT include the cost of building a new police facility, which would be required at that staffing level, inflation, rising healthcare costs, and all of the other issues that have resulted in so many municipalities facing uncontrollable deficits. It DOES include a proposed increase of the Chief’s salary to $98,000 annually.

To fund this plan or ANY plan for a full-time department, citizens would be asked to shoulder the burden. The proposed blended plan identifies the following funding opportunities.

A 20% share of the City’s General Fund (estimated at $2.4 million) + Mayor’s Court fees (estimated at $1M) + Fines from traffic cameras in school zones (estimated between $1.9 to $3.1 million) + ¼-cent sales tax increase (estimated at $1.3 million) and a 4.2-mill property tax (estimated at $1 million).

There is NO state or federal mandate requiring Central to establish a full-time police department. What we are facing are increased costs to continue our current partnership with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office (EBRSO), but those costs do not rise to the level of building and sustaining a full-time department. That option simply is not affordable or responsible at this time.

As a former senior leader in law enforcement, I understand budgets. I understand staffing. I understand long-term costs, retirement obligations, insurance, training, equipment, facilities, and liability. Most importantly, I understand how to prioritize for maximum efficiency and effectiveness without bankrupting a city.

We can increase police presence, visibility, and responsiveness........without creating an expensive, permanent bureaucracy. How?

By strengthening partnerships with EBRSO and all surrounding law enforcement agencies. By contracting with EBRSO to handle all major criminal response and investigations, with Central PD support when requested.

By focusing Central PD on enforcing municipal criminal codes (which would require the Council adopting them) traffic response, traffic enforcement, proactive neighborhood patrols, business checks, school zone patrols and enforcement (NOT traffic cameras) and community investment.

By expanding the Reserve Officer Program to dramatically increase visibility and community engagement. Activating a Mayor’s Court to keep local enforcement and local accountability right here in Central. Reinvesting a portion of Mayor’s Court revenues directly into public safety, funding better training, equipment, and officer support. By partnering with the local schools to provide criminal justice career education opportunities to our youth and supporting that through a police cadet program.

With 33 years of law enforcement experience, including 15 years in senior leadership, overseeing major criminal investigations + multi-million-dollar budgets + Hiring, training, and retention + Strategic planning + Legislative and agency coordination...........I am the most qualified candidate to lead Central PD into the future with strength, transparency, and fiscal accountability.

My only ambition is to serve YOU and the city I've called home the last 20+ years. I humbly ask for your vote and support.

Smart public safety. Strong partnerships. Responsible leadership.

Let’s do this together.