Lafayette Park Police Reinstated in Partnership with City Marshal’s Office

The Lafayette Consolidated Government has announced that the Lafayette Park Police are coming back, this time with the help of the Lafayette City Marshal’s Office. This new plan is focused on making the parks and recreation centers safer while also bringing the community closer together. The City Marshal’s Parks Patrol Division will be responsible for keeping an eye on Lafayette's parks and recreation centers.

There are 30 parks and 10 recreation centers that will be patrolled by officers to make sure everyone feels safe. The goal is to increase police visibility and deal with any concerns quickly.

“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.”

At first, the Parks Patrol Division will have four officers from the City Marshal’s Office, and these officers will be fully trained and qualified to make arrests when needed. This partnership will allow more Lafayette Police officers to focus on other parts of the city while the new division concentrates on keeping the parks safe.

The officers will work out of new stations located at key recreation centers, including the Martin Luther King Recreation Center at Dorsey Park, Girard Recreation Center at Girard Park, and Comeaux Recreation Center at Beaullieu Park. These stations will allow officers to respond faster to incidents and provide a place for them to do their paperwork.

Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas highlighted the importance of this teamwork. “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,” said Thomas.

To get things started, funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will be used to pay for equipment, training, uniforms, and vehicles. The City of Lafayette will pay for the officers' salaries and benefits, and the Marshal's Office will cover ongoing training and other expenses.

Recruitment for new officers has already started, and full patrol operations are expected to begin by January 2025, just in time for spring and summer park events. For those interested in joining, more information can be found on the Lafayette City Marshal’s website.