Central Cannot Afford a Full-Time Police Department: Here’s Why -

On December 8, 2025, I posted a message titled “Central Cannot Afford a Full-Time Police Department.” You can still find that post on my campaign page, and I have also posted it to my website.

Today, I want to expand on that message.

Here are the facts:

• Startup costs for a full-time department - land, building, facilities, vehicles, equipment, training, etc. - would be approximately $20 - 25 million.

• Annual operating costs for a 43-officer department, similar to Zachary or Baker, would be about $8 - 10 million per year.

Let me ask a simple question:Where do you think that money comes from?

Because it only comes from one place — your taxes. That means:

• Higher sales taxes

• Higher property taxes

• Or both

Central is a city of roughly 30,000 people. It’s one of the top ten largest cities in Louisiana - but it was never designed to operate like a big-city government.

We do not carry the burdens of a full-time department:

• No legacy pension liabilities

• No long-term healthcare obligations

• No massive administrative overhead

• No large fleet replacement cycles

• No costly specialty divisions to maintain

And that has protected Central taxpayers for years.

I’ll be honest. In the early days of incorporation, I supported the idea of a full-time department. But over time, with experience and perspective, I came to understand something important: The hybrid model we have today is what works best for Central.

We are a top-ten-size city - but we are still a small town at heart. Big-city policing isn’t the answer. Proven leadership is.

My Plan for Central Policing

I have posted a 4 Pillar platform that focuses on Community Policing - Community Investment - Responsible Planning - Ethics & Integrity. I believe these 4 Pillars create and implement an identity and vision for the Central Police Department that will serve the City of Central for generations to come. A few brief action items from those pillars are discussed below. Central Police should:

1. Maintain a strong partnership with EBRSO. The Sheriff’s Office handles major crimes and specialized services efficiently and at scale.

2. Focus our local department on what matters most

• Traffic safety

• Neighborhood patrols

• School-zone enforcement

• Community policing and engagement

The goal isn’t to write more tickets.The goal is to encourage safer driving and build relationships.

Investing in Community, Not Bureaucracy

Expand the Central Police Reserves. People have told me directly, “Nobody wants to volunteer anymore.” I say phoeey! I don’t buy that! Central is a city of 34 churches. Servanthood is alive and well here. What we need is servant leadership to bring it forward. Half-hearted attempts to recruit aren't enough. I will work hard, knock on the doors, attend civic organizations, hold forums, network at businesses and churches. If you build it they will come is a movie. Sometimes you have to go find them.

Create the Central Police Cadet Program

• Partner with local schools

• Offer criminal justice CTE opportunities

• Provide training, mentorship, and internships

• Build career pathways into law enforcement

These programs have minimal costs and major long-term benefits.We will also explore partnerships with local businesses and industry to help support youth programs. Reserves save money by providing volunteer services at community functions, football games, parades, and by filling deficiencies on shift, to name just a few roles.

Fiscal Responsibility Comes First

As Chief, I will conduct a transparent review of the current police budget to identify:

• Unnecessary spending

• Inefficiencies

• Opportunities to save taxpayer dollars

  
  

Because public safety and fiscal responsibility must go hand-in-hand. Are we partnering with local agencies through memorandums of understanding (MOU) and mutual assistance agreements (MAA)? Why are we going to West Baton Rouge Parish to qualify our officers? Is there not a more local facility we can partner with? Are we participating in cost effective training opportunities? How many of you are aware that the Federal Law Enforcement Training Institute (FLETC) has a program to provide low cost-training to local law enforcement agencies? Resources are available and should be utilized where they matter most. Resources should be invested in officers and the community, not on toys that sit in trailers or equipment that can be borrowed from partner agencies. Grant money is still YOUR tax dollars. And YOUR tax dollars deserve the utmost care and respect.

You can follow these ideas and more on social media - keyword search ElectPaulKimball - or visit my website at electpaulkimball.com.

I look forward to meeting you, answering your questions, and earning your trust.

Because this is not my police department.

This is YOUR police department.And I will never forget that.

Paul Kimball - Candidate for Chief of Police