Published on July 31, 2024; republished on October 15, 2024; republished on October 30, 2024
By KAREN LAGRANGE COX
The following questionnaire was emailed to the candidates for the Youngsville Police Chief position in the special election on November 5, 2024. The qualified candidates are Jean-Paul “JP” Broussard (Republican), Cody Louviere (Republican), and Matthew “Matt” Thomassee (Republican).
The November 5, 2024, special election is to fill the unexpired term of former Youngsville Police Chief Rick Boudreaux, who resigned in August 2023. Cody Louviere has been serving as interim Police Chief until the winner of the upcoming special election is determined.
The responses below are directly from each candidate.
1. What are your reasons for running as a candidate for Youngsville Police Chief?
Broussard
I am running for Youngsville Police Chief to proactively address our community’s challenges and opportunities in law enforcement. Youngsville is more than just a place I live; it’s where I’ve put down roots and plan to grow. Having served both as a paramedic and law enforcement officer, I feel a strong responsibility to contribute to our community’s safety and well-being. I am committed to leveraging my extensive experience and deep personal commitment to enhance our policing strategies, ensuring they reflect and serve the unique needs of our community.
Louviere
Law enforcement has been a passion of mine since I started the job in 2002. I have worked hard in building a solid foundation of good morals, knowledge in law and case law and proven leadership in this profession. I moved to Youngsville in 2012 and have always aspired of being the Chief of Police. I love the city that I live in and want to continue being a leader in my community and building our department to be the premier agency in Lafayette Parish. It is my goal to build on the safety of our city and continue to find ways to progress and combat crime.
Thomassee
As someone who has worked in and around law enforcement for my entire life, I have closely watched the emerging issues facing our local department. I have lived here in Youngsville for nearly 40 years, I have seen the result of our massive growth, so the main reason I am running for Chief of Police is due to growing concerns over public safety in our community. The recent shooting of President Trump was a real eye opener. We can see the impact it had on that community and on local law enforcement. In the modern complex threat environment, I believe I am the most qualified candidate in the race to lead the Youngsville Police Department. I possess the unique mix of skills, experience and training necessary to lead the agency and restore trust in the office.
2. What unique qualities and skills do you have that make you the ideal candidate for Youngsville Police Chief?
Broussard
My unique qualifications include extensive hands-on experience in law enforcement, a profound commitment to community engagement, and a diverse background in emergency medical services as a paramedic with Acadian Ambulance. This combination has equipped me with critical skills in crisis management, empathy, and decisive leadership, making me uniquely qualified for the role of Chief of Police.
Louviere
I am fluent in state law as well as state and United States case law. I have been in supervision in law enforcement for the last 6 years and have built strong teams that have succeeded in not only suppressing crime but positively impacting the community for which they serve. I’m very fluent in current crime trends and have a great understanding on patrol tactics to combat those trends. I bring not only a strong patrol background but an even stronger leadership presence to our department and our city.
Thomassee
In addition to being a peace officer for 14 years where I served in various supervisory, managerial and administrative roles, I have worked in the legal industry as a private investigator and served as a corporate security officer in the financial services industry. While at the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office I served as both the Accreditation Manager and Operations Manager. Both roles required to me to manage and supervise several dozen employees, while overseeing critical units such as training and accreditation. I also have a broad range of experience in the private sector. For over the last decade I have worked in both the private security and private investigative industries. I am a small business owner who runs an investigative firm. Additionally, I founded the Professional Association of Law Enforcement Officers, a non-profit organization which assist and supports law enforcement officers. My daily interactions with law enforcement officers working in various agencies across the state has given me a much more diverse perspective of the issues faced by our police officers.
3. What agencies, and for how long, have you served in law enforcement?
Broussard
My career in public safety began as a paramedic with Acadian Ambulance, enriching my understanding of emergency response, which I carried over into my policing career. I have served extensively at the Lafayette City Marshal’s office, where I gained comprehensive insights into law enforcement techniques and community safety strategies.
Louviere
I worked my entire career with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. I started there as a reserve Deputy in 2002 and worked my way through the ranks until my appointment as Interim Chief of Police here in Youngsville in 2023.
Thomassee
I served as a full-time Deputy Sheriff with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office from 1999 – 2013 under the leadership of former Sheriffs Don Breaux and Michael Neustrom.
4. Please provide the number of years of experience in law enforcement management supervision you have, including specific dates.
Broussard
I bring over 15 years of leadership and supervisory experience, including significant roles as a field training officer. I’ve been responsible for supervising new recruits, training them in various aspects of law enforcement, and molding them into effective members of the police force.
Louviere
- I was in K9 from 2013 – 2018 As a K9 Deputy you have supervision duties as you are the Deputy in charge of any scene that requires K9 assistance. You are in charge of disseminating manpower, decision making and the safety of said scene.
- Patrol Sergeant 2018 – 2021
- Patrol Lieutenant 2021 – 2023
- Chief of Police Youngsville 2023 – Present
Thomassee
While employed with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office between 1999 – 2013 I served in various supervisory, managerial and administrative roles. Between 2001 – 2010 I was promoted through the ranks advancing from Deputy (1999 – 2001) to Field Training Officer (2001), Corporal (2001 – 2002), Sergeant (2002 – 2003) and then Lieutenant (2003 – 2010). As a Lieutenant I served in several management roles which included the development of policies and procedures, oversight of the accreditation process and the development and implementation of training programs. Between 2001 and 2010 I also continued to serve as a Training Officer. In 2010, I was re-assigned to the Human Resources division where I managed and oversaw the background screening process for police recruits. I remained in that role until I retired in 2013.
5. What community services have you been involved in, and in what capacity did you participate?
Broussard
I am deeply involved in our community through Leadership Youngsville and the Knights of Columbus, in addition to organizing safety workshops and participating in local school initiatives. These experiences have allowed me to forge strong community ties and understand the broader social dynamics that affect public safety.
Louviere
I have participated in community police throughout my career.
Thomassee
I have taken part in community services through my participation in various social, civic and church organizations. I volunteered to assist with organizing and developing a security plan and team for the Youngsville campus of Our Savior’s Church when the church first opened its doors to the community in 2019. I have also served as a youth baseball coach for the Broussard-Youngsville Youth Association. I organized a non-profit organization which assist police officers in our communities who need support and mentoring. Another non-profit I organized participates in the upkeep, maintenance and cleaning of grave markers for fallen police officers and soldiers.
6. What higher education degrees or special training have you received, and where did you receive your degrees or special training?
Broussard
I hold a paramedic certification from Southwest Community College and have completed several management and leadership courses at Acadian Ambulance and through the FBI-LEEDA Academy. This educational background has provided me with a solid foundation in both the practical and administrative aspects of emergency and law enforcement services critical to effective police leadership.
Louviere
I have been involved in hundreds of training classes throughout my law enforcement career, some of the more important ones are as follows:
FBI LEEDA Leadership Training Academy graduate, crisis management, de-escalation training, FEMA Crisis management certifications, advanced interview and interrogation, National Police Canine Association certification, Louisiana Crisis Negotiator certified just to list a few.
Thomassee
I attended and graduated from the Acadiana Law Enforcement Training Academy at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2001. I also attended the Institute of Police Technology and Management at the University of Florida where I was certified in police background investigations. I have received over 600 hours of related specialized training and education from various other entities.
7. Are you a veteran of any United States Military Branch? If yes, which branch and when did you serve?
Broussard
While I am not a veteran, I have the utmost respect for our military personnel and work closely with veteran community members to incorporate their discipline and insights into our public safety strategies.
Louviere
No Military Service.
Thomassee
No.
8. What do you see as the most urgent police-related issue in Youngsville?
Broussard
Currently, Youngsville faces a critical shortage of officers on patrol, which impacts our ability to effectively monitor the community and respond swiftly to incidents. Addressing this shortage is imperative to improve our proactive policing capabilities.
Louviere
Vehicle burglaries are our most pressing crime issue. We have taken great strides to attempt to combat these crimes. This summer I have put more officers on the road, especially during the high crime times. These burglary details have helped tremendously in lowering the number of vehicle burglaries we have seen.
Thomassee
As a rapidly growing community located at the intersection of three parishes, Youngsville faces an increasingly complex threat environment. With higher crime areas to the north, southwest, and southeast, interagency communication and cooperation with law enforcement and first responders in neighboring parishes and areas of Lafayette Parish is critical. Likewise, improving response times, particularly on calls involving crimes against persons is essential. Providing public safety is the basic role of any law enforcement agency and should always be the top priority of any police organization. With recent spikes in crime Governor Landry called for a special legislative session earlier this year, which focused completely on crime. As such it is important to remain ever vigilant in combatting violent criminal offenders, even in a community like Youngsville which historically has experienced low violent crime rates.
9. What are the most important public safety needs in Youngsville?
Broussard
The most important public safety needs in Youngsville include enhancing patrol operations to ensure the safety of our citizens and addressing the strategic deployment of our police force to manage and prevent crime effectively.
Louviere
One of our biggest needs is more police officers on the patrol. I plan to add 4 officers, 1 to each patrol shift going forward.
Thomassee
The most important public safety needs of the City of Youngsville are ensuring that the Youngsville Police Department operates at the highest levels of professionalism and efficiency. This means ensuring proper shift staffing to appropriate levels to address situational needs, whether preventative, investigative, or in response to criminal situations and other emergencies. While the department presently appears to have adequate resources, force restructuring should be evaluated to ensure the most efficient use of those resources. We are presently in the heart of hurricane season which serves as a reminder of how important it is to have plans to ensure our city can be evacuated in a safe and timely manner. Aside from this seasonal consideration having emergency plans to address various criminal scenarios which could impact our city on a large scale is also vital.
10. What plans, if any, do you have to assist officers of the Youngsville Police Department when they encounter individuals in a mental health crisis?
Broussard
I propose to establish a specialized unit trained in mental health crisis intervention, enhancing our officers’ ability to manage such situations with compassion and effectiveness. This unit will collaborate closely with local mental health professionals and organizations.
Louviere
I have already implemented extra mental health training into the department. Education is key when it comes to mental health, as mental health comes in all shapes and forms. It is important to keep our officers up to date on how to spot a mental health crisis, how to deal with it in the moment and what resources are available to them during and after for the citizen.
Thomassee
Police Officers generally receive exceptional training in how to properly enforce laws. There are now a range of training resources available to ensure officers are able to recognize potential mental health issues in enforcement situations so that they can respond appropriately. This type of awareness will make it easier for officers to transition into the “peace officer” role when a situation encountered is not necessarily a criminal act, nor does it call for criminal apprehension. Providing our officers with the training to recognize these difficult situations and a network of resources to be able to assist the person experiencing crisis is important.
11. What are your top priorities if elected as Youngsville Police Chief?
Broussard
If elected, my priorities will include increasing the number of patrol officers without raising taxes, getting CALEA Accreditation to reduce frivolous lawsuits against the department, enhancing our technological capabilities, and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability within the department.
Louviere
Public safety, better training and officer accountability are my top priorities as Chief of Police.
Thomassee
As Youngsville Chief of Police, I will prioritize communication with our community stakeholders, business leaders, and neighborhoods. Improved communication about emerging threats and issues is important to raise awareness and allow the local citizenry to become a force multiplier for the department. In particular, I am focused on protecting the most vulnerable members of our community – the elderly and children. This means improving partnerships with schools, parents, and concerned families. In short, public safety is the top priority of the Youngsville Police Chief. In order to fulfill the mission of making Youngsville the safest community it is imperative that we build community relationships with our residents and cooperative networks with our neighbors. It is also important that we attract, retain and lead the best candidates to serve as our peace officers.
12. Do you have plans to make any changes to the Youngsville Police Department, and if yes, what are your plans for changes?
Broussard
I plan to implement more technology in the department, such as electronic ticketing systems and restriping patrol units to enhance their visibility. This, along with placing more officers on patrol, will serve as a deterrent to criminal activities and improve our efficiency.
Louviere
We have made great strides in advancing our department, please see my website at youngsvillechief.com, for an extended list of accomplishments. From creating a safe exchange zone, implementing a state of the art body cam system, adding extra training for officers and allowing for more firearm training on a yearly basis. Going forward I would like to add more officers to patrol and increase our technology utilization. Also I am currently working on a solution to raise our officers pay to stay competitive with neighboring agencies.
Thomassee
Yes. My administration will begin with a full operational review, ensuring maximizing how we use tax dollars and deploy resources. As with any organization there is always room for improvement, but upsetting the current structure is not always the best first step. It is important to understand the dynamics and basic structure of any organization before you start tearing it apart or rebuilding it As a result, it would be premature to discuss specific organizational changes until that review has been conducted and completed.
13. How are you funding your campaign?
Broussard
My campaign is funded through contributions from local supporters and small businesses, combined with personal investments, reflecting our community’s
support for my vision of a safer, more united Youngsville.
Louviere
Campaign donors and personal funds.
Thomassee
My campaign will seek the support of extended family, friends, and leading stakeholders in the Youngsville and local community. In my communications, I am sharing my unique set of skills and experience, as well as my vision for serving Youngsville as Chief of Police.
14. If funding were available, what new technologies would you consider purchasing for the Youngsville Police Department, and why?
Broussard
I would invest in electronic ticket systems, advanced surveillance cameras, and license plate readers to enhance our operational capabilities. These technologies will enable us to solve crimes more effectively and ensure a safer environment for the citizens of Youngsville.
Louviere
- More city surveillance to assist in solving crimes.
- A better report management system that would aid our officers in daily reporting functions (This is currently in the works.)
- Artificial Intelligence crime fighting / reporting software (currently in the works).
Thomassee
I am always interested in technologies that improve efficiency, transparency, and lower the administrative burden on officers in the performance of their duties. There are opportunities for utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a variety of ways, so long as there are proper safeguards and oversight in the use of the underlying models. It is important to remember that technology is a tool for well-trained peace officers. Overreliance on technology can undermine the diligence and accountability of officers, weakening the core value of community policing and detaching officers from the community we serve. The community could also benefit from technological measures which provide greater transparency by allowing citizens to view crime data, crime mapping and crime trends.
