SORRENTO, La. (AP) - Sorrento Mayor Mike Lambert is taking steps to bring to voters this fall the issue of abolishing the town’s Police Department and police chief post.
Lambert tells The Advocate (https://bit.ly/1c4uAw4 ) he contacted state Sen. Jody Amedee, of Gonzales, about the legislative process involved shortly after the abrupt departure of former Police Chief Earl Theriot Jr. on Feb. 7.
Theriot later pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of lying to an FBI agent about an incident last fall in which Theriot admitted to “inappropriate sexual contact” with a woman.
Lambert said when he spoke Feb. 10 to Amedee and Amedee agreed to sponsor the bill, he learned that that day, Feb. 10, was the deadline to make such an attempt for the upcoming legislative session.
“The process had to start Monday,” said Lambert, who added he had about a two-hour window to make it happen.
The council will next need to pass a proclamation in order to proceed, Lambert said
If the council chooses not to, it could “pull the bill,” he said. The council will take up the issue at its first meeting in March, Lambert said.
Councilman Marvin Martin said, while he would prefer to keep the Police Department, he would vote to let residents decide whether to abolish the department and the chief’s job.
Sorrento must still appoint a new police chief by Feb. 27 or Gov. Bobby Jindal will appoint one, as required by state law, Lambert said.
___
Information from: The Advocate, https://theadvocate.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.