Photograph: Graig LeBlanc is the newly elected Opelousas Police Chief. (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
The top Opelousas city law enforcement position is again in new hands, continuing a recent trend of electing one-term police chiefs.
City voters chose Graig “Twin” LeBlanc as the new chief on Tuesday night, as incumbent chief MeLendon prepares to end 31 years with the Opelousas Police Department.
LeBlanc, currently a St. Landry Parish Sheriff Department investigator, was defeated in 2018 by McLendon who served one term as police chief.
Beginning in January, city voters will have chosen four police chiefs since 2010.
On Tuesday LeBlanc received 53,3 percent of the vote (2,580). McLendon had 46.69 percent or 2,260 votes.
McLendon maintained during a post-election telephone interview that the recent homicides and gunshot proliferations were primarily responsible for his defeat.
Police and officers were at the scene on Ina Claire Drive for another non-life-threatening shooting Tuesday night following the election, McLendon said.
“I could have been home, licking my wounds, but I am still a uniformed officer and I will continue doing the job and wearing the uniform until Dec. 31 when my 31 years on the Opelousas police force come to an end. That journey had to end sometime, but I am honored to have served and worked with some of the finest officers who ever wore the badge,” McLendon said.
McLendon promised LeBlanc and wished LeBlanc good luck.
LeBlanc said voters felt that he could improve law enforcement citywide due to his experience as both a former Opelousas police officer and parish deputy.
“We have a lot of work to do as far as accountability. I think the voters recognized that violent crime has increased coupled with the fact that there needs to be improved visibility of the police within the city as well as their responsiveness,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc said he plans to implement a campaign promise to place more officers in high crime areas of Opelousas.
