The Ward 8 constable has retired. The Caddo Commission must appoint an interim constable at its meeting tomorrow, Thursday.
As of this writing (9:30 am. Wed.) two people have submitted resumes for this position. The deadline for submitting resumes to the commission clerk is 5 p.m. today (Wed.) In such an event, a Settle Talk will be published by 10 am tomorrow (Thurs.) to update this copy.
Heather Boucher and Mark Yawn have submitted resumes for the commission’s consideration. Both will address the Commission at its meeting tomorrow (Thurs.)
Heather has been in law enforcement and enforcement related employment for over 15 years. She is POST certified. She has had substantial law enforcement training and has received numerous awards for her law enforcement service.
Heather is actively involved in domestic violence and human trafficking programs/organizations.
If appointed Constable, she will be the FIRST female constable in Caddo history.
Mark has 43 years of experience as a general contractor. He has owned two separate martial arts studios. He has worked in the film industry. He has been a volunteer coach in many sports for many years.
Mark has no law enforcement experience. He is not Post Certified. He has no law enforcement training. He has a federal firearms license.
An AI search of the duties of constables in Louisiana is attached for information purposes.
Louisiana constables are elected peace officers, serving as marshals for Justice of the Peace courts, primarily responsible for serving legal papers (warrants, summons, subpoenas, eviction notices) and enforcing court orders like garnishments, with duties varying by parish but generally involving maintaining order, serving civil process, and executing judgments for their local courts. They possess broader peace officer powers, including making arrests and carrying firearms, especially deputies, and can be authorized to act similarly to sheriffs in their jurisdiction, often handling evictions and property seizures.
Core Duties
Serve Legal Documents: Deliver warrants, summons, subpoenas, and eviction notices for the Justice of the Peace courts.
Enforce Court Orders: Execute judgments, manage garnishments, and carry out eviction warrants (Notices to Vacate).
Maintain Peace: Act as peace officers, keeping order in their court's jurisdiction.
Manage Evictions: Initiate and execute the eviction process for landlords.
Seize Property: Authorize the seizure, impounding, and sale of property as directed by law.
Authority & Scope
Court-Specific: Work in conjunction with Justice of the Peace courts, acting as their enforcement arm.
Jurisdiction: Authority often extends parish-wide for serving process and enforcing judgments, as granted by state law.
Deputy Powers: Deputy constables often receive full peace officer training (POST certified) and have arrest powers, carrying firearms and badges.
Key Differences from Sheriffs
Constables focus on the judicial functions and specific local areas of Justice of the Peace courts, while sheriffs have broader, parish-wide law enforcement responsibilities.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.