BATON ROUGE, LA. (BRPROUD) — Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome introduced the first Police Chief Review Committee Tuesday to review the process of choosing a new chief.

On Friday, the list of potential candidates went from 24 to 21, after the civil test scores were released. Candidates had to score 75% or higher to pass. Two did not show up for the test, and one candidate failed.

The 21 candidates will be introduced to the mayor’s committee on Oct. 23 at 5 p.m.

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome used a similar process in 2017 when she appointed Chief Murphy Paul for the position.

The committee is made up of several local leaders and community members who are involved in law enforcement and legal rights.

Police Chief Review Committee:

  • Mayor Pro Temp Lamont Cole
  • Jennifer Carwile
  • Michael McClanahan
  • Rev. Charles DeGravelles
  • Rev. Tommie Gipson
  • Kathy Victorian
  • Walt Green

Alternates for Police Chief Review Committee:

  • Eugene Collins
  • Drake Brignac
  • Jazzika Matthews

According to Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, she says one of the key factors in finding a new chief is that community trust is crucial.

“It is imperative to consider the needs of our community,” says Broome. “And commit to supporting the next chief no matter who they are.”

Chief Murphy Paul’s last day is Nov. 12 but will not leave until the chief position is filled.

According to Eugene Collins, he believes having the committee and public input appointed by the mayor is heading in the right direction for choosing the next chief.

“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” says Collins. “This is a terrific process. Our mayor has done a terrific job with putting this together and I think we’ll come out of this process with a good chief.”

Collins said to BRPROUD, that Paul has been a good chief overall. He hopes the next person picks up where the outgoing chief left off.

“It’s important that we get somebody that wants to continue that mantel,” says Collins. “And that we don’t go and take steps back. “

Friday afternoon, the committee has decided to hold a special meeting before the Oct. 23 meeting, the day the interview process begins.

After the committee ends the interview process, the mayor will choose the top five candidates.

The Oct. 23 meeting starts at 5 p.m. located at the Metropolitan Council Chambers. The next meeting will be held on Oct. 26. If need be, the mayor will decide if the meeting scheduled for Nov. 1 will occur.

Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 18 at noon, the public can submit questions to the committee using the email, brpdchiefquestions@brla.gov

The deadline to submit questions is Friday at 3 p.m.