December 2023
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LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE<br />
Partnership Offers Law Enforcement Training Solutions<br />
Greetings from the Louisiana<br />
Association of Chiefs<br />
of Police. I am honored to<br />
speak to you about an important<br />
opportunity to improve<br />
the quality of public<br />
safety in your municipality.<br />
For the 237 municipalities<br />
with mayor’s courts,<br />
state law affords two opportunities to<br />
support the educational efforts of LACP.<br />
From training newly elected/appointed<br />
chiefs of police, to providing ongoing<br />
training for law enforcement throughout<br />
the year, LACP’s aim is to empower<br />
municipal police to provide the highest<br />
standard of public safety services to<br />
their communities.<br />
La. R.S. 33:2334 provides that when a<br />
mayor’s court grants bail and issues an<br />
appearance bond for the next court<br />
date, they may assess a $15 fee, $2 of<br />
which may be allocated to LACP for<br />
law enforcement education and training.<br />
Similarly, La. R.S. 33:441 authorizes<br />
mayor’s court to designate any portion<br />
of their assessed court costs to LACP for<br />
the education and training<br />
of law enforcement<br />
personnel.<br />
I humbly request that<br />
mayor’s court municipalities<br />
consider allocating<br />
funds from appearance<br />
bonds and court costs to<br />
LACP. Those funds will be<br />
used entirely toward education<br />
and training for municipal police.<br />
Your contributions are a minimal investment<br />
that will reap maximum benefits<br />
since a well-trained police force is essential<br />
for effective ordinance enforcement<br />
and public protection.<br />
There are municipalities that have been<br />
contributing for some time, and I am<br />
deeply grateful for their consideration.<br />
I hope that those of you who have not<br />
historically contributed to help fund this<br />
critical education will – in light of this<br />
information – take the steps to begin<br />
contributing.<br />
With increasing educational mandates<br />
imposed on law enforcement professionals,<br />
we strive to retain the best possible<br />
teachers, trainers, and presenters<br />
to provide the most updated information.<br />
Your mayor’s court contributions<br />
are a vital part of helping LACP achieve<br />
that goal.<br />
I respectfully urge you to join our efforts<br />
to bring state-of-the-art excellence to<br />
your municipal police departments.<br />
Since 1968, LACP has focused on serving<br />
the needs of municipal law enforcement,<br />
and we are proud to partner with<br />
the LMA and its members because we<br />
know that we are better together.<br />
Thank you for your consideration and<br />
don’t hesitate to contact me for further<br />
information at 225.387.3261.<br />
By Fabian<br />
Blache<br />
Louisiana<br />
Association of<br />
Chiefs of Police<br />
Blanche is the Louisiana Association of<br />
Chiefs of Police Executive Director. He can<br />
be reached by calling 225.387.3261.<br />
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30: BONDS<br />
options. Whether through general obligation<br />
bonds, revenue bonds, or other<br />
variations, local governments can tailor<br />
their approach to align with the specific<br />
needs of their community projects. This<br />
flexibility enhances the ability to fund diverse<br />
initiatives that contribute to overall<br />
community prosperity.<br />
The funds raised through municipal<br />
bonds can be directed toward improving<br />
and expanding public services. This<br />
includes investments in education,<br />
healthcare, and public safety. By securing<br />
financing through bonds, Louisiana<br />
municipalities can enhance the delivery<br />
of essential services, fostering a safer and<br />
more prosperous living environment for<br />
residents.<br />
Infrastructure projects funded by municipal<br />
bonds have a direct impact on job<br />
creation. The construction, maintenance,<br />
and operation of public facilities generate<br />
employment opportunities, providing<br />
a boost to the local economy. This<br />
economic stimulus, in turn, has a positive<br />
ripple effect, benefiting businesses<br />
and residents alike.<br />
Successfully managing municipal bonds<br />
can contribute to stronger credit ratings<br />
for municipalities. A higher credit rating<br />
not only reduces borrowing costs but<br />
also signals financial stability. This improved<br />
creditworthiness positions Louisiana<br />
municipalities to access additional<br />
financing options and undertake more<br />
ambitious projects in the future.<br />
Municipal bonds stand as a potent financial<br />
tool for Louisiana municipalities,<br />
offering a pathway to address critical<br />
needs, stimulate economic growth, and<br />
enhance the overall quality of life for<br />
residents. By harnessing the benefits of<br />
municipal bonds, local governments can<br />
build resilient communities that thrive<br />
and evolve to meet the challenges of the<br />
future. The strategic use of these bonds<br />
represents an investment not only in<br />
infrastructure but also in the long-term<br />
prosperity and vitality of Louisiana municipalities.<br />
By Ben Bankston and<br />
Shaun Toups<br />
Government Consultants Inc.<br />
Bankston and Toups are Municipal<br />
Advisors with Government Consultants<br />
Inc. They can be reached at bbankston@gcla.net<br />
and stoups@ga-la.net, respectively.<br />
LMR | DECEMBER <strong>2023</strong> Page 31