Chief cites training, community relations as factor for relative calm

Chief cites training, community relations as factor for relative calm
Eunice Police Deputy Chief Richard Daigle wears a black ribbon on his badge Tuesday in memory of the officers slain in Dallas on July 7 and for St. Landry Parish Deputy Charles “Blaine” David who died Monday after a battle with cancer. David had been a detective for 10 years. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

There has been little fallout in Eunice from the deadly turmoil embroiling police and protesters across the nation, Police Chief Randy Fontenot said.
“We don’t see the issues in Eunice that some of these cities have been having, which I think is a good thing,” he said. “We seem to have pretty good relations. There are a few people in the community that are anti-police, but for the most part our general population in Eunice is pretty cooperative with the police.”
Fontenot’s comments Tuesday were in reference to events that began with a fatal shooting of a black man by police in Baton Rouge, a second fatal police shooting in Minnesota and the killing of five police officers a week ago in Dallas.
Eunice may seem far removed from those situations, but Fontenot, who has been police chief for about a year and half, credits training with rebuilding trust between police and the community.
This year he announced that the appointment of Lt. Donnie Thibodeaux to head the department’s training.
Police are trained to operate in manner where everybody is treated fairly, decently and with common sense, Fontenot said.
Police are working to rebuild the trust of the public that was lost in the past.
Fontenot also believes formalizing the look of uniforms has helped improve the police image.
There has been a decline in the number of complaints against officers, he said.
“I think a part of that is how they dress and present to the public,” he said.
By contrast, in the past officers would wear uniforms looking more like military gear as every day wear, he said.
But that military-looking gear is worn now only when needed, he said.
On another uniform issue, Fontenot said 30 protective vests have been ordered at a cost of about $20,000.
“They’ve never had to be used in Eunice and hopefully never have to be relied on,” he said.
Vests often have to be custom fitted, he said, but in the past the vests have been handed down from one officer to the next.
The vests have a suggested lifespan of four to five years, he said.