OPD Announces Promotions

BOBBY ARDOIN

Editor/Consulting Writer

Opelousas police chief Graig LeBlanc announced two key promotions while recognizing a pair of officers for their departmental contributions during the monthly Board of Alderman meeting Tuesday night.

Frank Boudreaux, a 29-year OPD veteran officer, is being promoted to the rank of major. Michael Lacomb, another department veteran, is elevated to OPD captain, said LeBlanc.

LeBlanc also announced that Catina Pappillion, who has worked in the department for 18 years, has been named Officer Of The Year.

Police officer Anthony Henry has been selected as the Officer for the last quarter of 2024, according to LeBlanc.

Lydia Johnson has been hired as a communications officer, said LeBlanc.

All of the promotions and the officer hirings by LeBlanc were approved by the Board during the meeting.

LeBlanc told the Board that at this point OPD is a department composed primarily of young officers.

The department has 42 officers with three potential officers undergoing police academy training. Another officer has just completed academy training, while two others are training with the department, said LeBlanc.

“We are growing our department right now. We are not where we want to be, but we are having young men and women who are interested in law enforcement,” said LeBlanc.

Promotions

Boudreaux said LeBlanc has been instrumental as a training supervisor and assistant police chief.

LeBlanc said Boudreaux has been an officer that he has often consulted for advice.

“We have had a lot of conversations and although we don’t always agree on what we say to each other, we have always found a way to settle those differences and work together,” LeBlanc said.

Lacomb has worked for OPD since 1999.

During his 25 years as an officer, LeBlanc said Lacomb has been instrumental as a veteran supervisor and member of the patrol division, who oversees activity on the OPD day shift.

“Officer Lacomb has been willing to go into different areas of the city and do things that need to be done in order to help with fighting crime,” said LeBlanc.

Recognitions

Pappillion has displayed a consistent work ethic, who is always available to help the younger officers, said LeBlanc..

“(Pappillion) is an officer who has been willing to pass on her knowledge to others in the department and she has always worked hard inside the community,” LeBlanc added.

Henry is one of the OPD certified K9 officers.

LeBlanc said Henry is a member of the OPD night shift who often deploys his German Shepherd officer on drug cases and apprehensions.

Communications

Johnson told the Board that she previously worked at OPD before leaving the department to work with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Department for six years.

LeBlanc said he is encouraging Johnson to work on her post certification requirements.