It’s a good question.
Actually , it’s a 3-part question.
The first is when will the now permanent chief Alan Crump retire? He has been on medical leave at full pay since November of last year.
Only Crump knows that date. Most believe he will retire in June of this year. And until that happens, no permanent chief can be named.
A police chief exam has been scheduled for May 23.
The test bank is controlled by the Fire and Police Civil Service department of the Office of State Examiner in Baton Rouge. This agency grades the exams and submits the test results to the Civil Service Board, which certifies the results.
So, a new permanent chief can not be named until the exam is given. This is the answer to the second question.
The passing score is 75%. The scores are valid for 18 months from the date of approval by the Civil Service Board.
From those with passing grades, mayor Adrian Perkins can select in his discretion a new chief. His selection must be approved by the city council. That’s the answer to the third question.
9 individuals submitted applications. The following 8 were approved:
Dr./Permanent Sergeant Michael E. Carter
Permanent Lieutenant Janice R. Dailey
Permanent Corporal Jason K. Frazier
Permanent Corporal Marcus S. Mitchell
Probational Sergeant/Provisional Police Chief Benjamin A. Raymond
Permanent Lieutenant Tedris T. Smith
Permanent Assistant Chief of Police Wayne E. Smith
Permanent Sergeant Kevin S. Strickland.
(For clarification in the designation of permanent versus probational rank, here is the process. A police recruit enters the academy. Upon passing the LA POST test and completing all requirements of the academy, shooting, physical agility, and academics, the person graduates. Upon graduation they enter their probationary working test period of one year. It is between academy graduation and their "permanent" certification as a regular and permanent police officer that they are considered a probationary officer. Probationary period lasts 180-365 days but is by law ended at 365.)
Of these applicants 4 are white males: Carter, Frazier, Raymond and Strickland.
There are 3 black male applicants: Mitchell, Tedris Smith, and Wayne Smith.
There is one white female applicant: Janice Dailey.
The qualifications of each of these are quite varied in law enforcement experience , formal education, and personal background.
More will be written on these candidates after the test results are published.