Skip to main content

Following his arrest Monday on three felony charges, Chief of Police Graig Leblanc has turned himself into authorities. He was booked in at the St. Landry Parish jail and then released on a $26,000 bond.

In response to the string of events and altercations that have occurred leading to his arrest, many citizens have publicly spoken out calling for a resignation of the Chief over the last few weeks.

On Tuesday, Christ Church of Opelousas released an official statement saying “Knowing that he [Chief Craig Leblanc] has been unfaithful disqualifies him for such a position. . . We prayerfully invite Chief Graig Leblanc to resign, confess, repent, and be joyfully restored to his family and to Jesus’ church.

In a Press Release Sheriff Bobby Guidroz stated, “At the beginning of this case, I promised you that I, nor my office, would let politics or anything else influence this investigation. When elected to office, I made a promise to be “Committed to a Higher Standard” in all aspects of law enforcement. My office conducted a transparent, fair, and impartial investigation that is expected by the public.”

What happens next for Opelousas Chief?

According to public concerns, there needs to be a call of action- either the resignation of the Chief of Police or a recall election.

In a recent interview, St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court Charles Jagneaux spoke with News 10 about what the process would look like for a recall election to happen. First, a certain percentage of signatures from eligible voters in the voting area must be obtained asking the governor to call for a recall election. For the city of Opelousas, that percentage would be thirty three and a third, 3,694 registered

Someone has to register, and submit a picture of identification to the secretary of state when they fill out the recall form,” Jagneaux explained in his news interview. He said after a sufficient number of signatures, which must be handwritten, is completed the petition must be certified by the registrar and sent to the governor to proclaim the petition qualified and publish a notice for a recall election to be held.

“If the voters vote 50% recall election, then they will have that,” Jagneaux stated.

Within 15 days upon receiving the certified petition from the Registrar of Voters meeting the required number of of qualified electors, the governor then issues an election proclamation.

Author

  • Courtney Jennings is a contributing writer with St. Landry Now since 2023 covering local events throughout the parish. She also runs the local publication MacaroniKID Acadia-St. Landry, an online publication and weekly e-newsletter on family friendly activities, local events, and community resources for parents.

    View all posts