Lafayette, LA – Lafayette Consolidated Government announces the reinstatement of the Lafayette Park Police in partnership with the Lafayette City Marshal’s Office. This initiative aims to enhance public safety, increase police visibility, and foster stronger community relations throughout Lafayette’s parks and recreational facilities.
The new, City Marshal’s Parks Patrol Division will encompass 30 parks spanning nearly 1,300 acres and 10 recreation centers with a focus on addressing immediate concerns in our parks and ensuring a safe environment for residents and visitors. The restructured operation will provide daily patrol coverage with commissioned officers, reinforcing a strong law enforcement presence and maintaining the safety of our community spaces.
“Our parks are a vital part of our community, and ensuring public safety throughout Lafayette is a top priority,” said Lafayette Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet. “By enhancing police visibility and re-establishing a dedicated Parks Patrol Division, we are taking proactive steps to maximize resources, address community concerns, and ensure our parks remain safe, welcoming spaces we can all enjoy.”
The Parks Patrol Division will initially consist of four deputies commissioned by the Marshal’s Office, providing them with arresting authority and the training necessary to uphold Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (POST) qualifications. The initiative also allows for more Lafayette Police Department officers to patrol our streets.
Substations will be established at key locations including the Martin Luther King Recreation Center (Dorsey Park), Girard Recreation Center (Girard Park), and Comeaux Recreation Center (Beaullieu Park), ensuring deputies can efficiently respond to incidents while also leveraging these existing spaces for necessary reporting. Additionally, the Marshal’s Office will manage event security for smaller functions at parks and recreation centers, allowing the Lafayette Police Department to focus on large-scale events.
Lafayette City Marshal, Reggie Thomas, emphasized the importance of this partnership stating, “This collaboration allows us to continue building trust within our community. By joining forces with the Lafayette Police Department, we can ensure our residents feel safe and supported in our parks, knowing there will be no tolerance for crime.”
Initial funding for this initiative will come from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which will cover start-up expenses, including equipment, training, uniforms, and marked vehicles equipped with lights, sirens, and technology to assist in park operations. The City of Lafayette will manage ongoing salary and benefits for the officers, while the Marshal’s Office will handle other associated expenses, including continuous training in alignment with CALEA standards.
The timeline for implementation coincides with the FY2024-2025 budget effective date November 1, 2024, with a focus on POST-certified officer recruitment followed by a comprehensive, 6-week training period. The goal is to also transition event security management by November, with full patrol operations expected to commence in January 2025, just in time for the spring activities and summer programming.
For those interested in joining the Lafayette Parks Patrol Division, recruitment is now open through the Lafayette City Marshal’s Office. Please visit lafayettemarshal.com for more information.
