New Roads police officers and concerned citizens packed the City Council chamber for the regular meeting Tuesday night, but no discussion took place regarding who will fill the vacancy.
The item was not listed on the agenda, although most who were in attendance for the meeting came in anticipation of hearing an update on the search for a new chief.
Mayor Theron Smith said after the meeting the decision on a new leader for the New Roads Police Department will likely go before the Council at its next meeting, provided the candidate meets all qualifications.
“We’re trying not to move with haste,” he told The Banner. “Even though I do feel a sense of urgency, we have to know we’re making the right decision.”
Smith said he hopes to bring forth a recommendation to the Council at its next meeting, scheduled for March 18.
Some of the candidates who applied in the past were exceptional, Smith said.
He said, however, that he needs to be assured of stability in the top position in NRPD when the Council approves his recommendation on the next police chief.
“I don’t want to rush this again and see the same thing that has happened the last three times,” the mayor said.
Councilman Kurt Kellerman said he believes Smith should have addressed the issue at some point during the meeting.
“He could’ve said something in the mayor’s report that citizens can be assured they’re safe because we’re working with the sheriff’s department, et cetera, but I would’ve made a comment,” Kellerman said. “Personally, I think we need to have a police chief in place.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Cleotha Johnigan, meanwhile, said there was not anything new that Smith could say regarding the search for a new police chief.
“I don’t think the mayor or his committee has decided on any candidates to bring to the council,” he said. “I just want to make sure that when they do, we, you know, we’ve done our due diligence in vetting these people.
“At this time, I know the mayor has not decided on anyone yet because he is still going through the process,” Johnigan said. fcfc
Johnigan said he would like to see the city have more input in the hiring of officers to prevent issues
It may help prevent the issues with officers that have caused hardship for the city and the police department, he said.
Councilman Kirk “Clipper” White said after the meeting that he believes the issue will be rectified shortly.
“There is a plan in place to remedy the problem,” he said.
Last year, NPRD dealt with resignation of Officer John Chambliss, who shot a man four times during an arrest Sept. 19 outside an auto parts store on Hospital Roads.
The most recent officer-involved crime occurred when East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested NRPD Officer Quincey Lathers Feb. 6 following his alleged purchase of Oxycodone.
Lathers was charged with distribution of a Schedule II narcotic, possession of a Schedule V narcotic (promethazine with codeine) and illegal carrying of a firearm will in possession of drugs.
It led to Smith requesting Hamiliton’s resignation.
The next police chief will be the fourth officeholder for that position since Smith took office in 2023.
On Feb. 16, Smtih requested Louis Hamilton’s resignation due to an unsatisfactory job performance, along with the loss of confidence in Hamilton’s job performance.
Smith has said he will not release the names of applicants until he recommends the next candidate to the Council.
The job of police chief has not been a stable post since longtime NPRD Chief Kevin McDonald retired in 2023, just before Smith took office.
The City Council approved the appointment of Delaney Lee when Smith took office in 2023.
Lee resigned in February 2024 amid allegations of an inappropriate relationship.
Council members approved the appointment of Cedric Epps as Lee’s replacement, but Epps resigned five months later.
Smith asked Hamilton to tender his resignation one day before Mardi Gras parades rolled through the city.
He has emphasized he wants to make certain he has the prospective candidate will be the one who bring stability back to the job of police chief.
