Avoyelles’ “Blue Line” Moreauville trying to be the best small town department

{Editor’s Note: This is the fourth of a series featuring the law enforcement agencies in Avoyelles Parish. The series title is a reference to the “thin blue line” symbol used by law enforcement to commemorate fallen officers and the relationship between police and the communities they serve.}
By GARLAND FORMAN
Co-Editor
The current longest-serving police chief in Avoyelles Parish oversees two full-time police officers and four part-time officers.
Moreauville Police Chief Scott Lemoine has served in that position for 22 years. In addition to being the chief, he is also a full-time police officer, along with Assistant Chief Eddie St. Romain and Gerald Augustine.
The department’s four part-time patrolmen ensure police coverage around the clock. They are Damion Jacobs, Matthew Smith, Derrick Ward and Jeffery Chenevert.
The number of part-timers varies during the year as some may leave and others are hired, Lemoine said.
The department has a budget of about $187,000 and operates with three older patrol cars. If possible, the department hopes to purchase a new police unit later this year or in 2017.
Lemoine works mostly during the day shift, but handles other shifts when part-time officers can’t work.
“We work hard in Moreauville to keep the citizens safe at all times,” Lemoine said. “The council has been good in providing us with the proper equipment, when the budget allows.”
Tat equipment includes body cameras, bullet-proof vests and patrol unit cameras.
“Since we put the cameras on the officers and in the cars, we have had a decrease in complaints about officers,” Lemoine continued. “When we get a complaint about how an officer handles a call, we go to the computer and take a look. Each time, so far, the officer has acted properly on a call.”
There are two schools in the small municipality -- Sacred Heart Catholic School and Avoyelles High School, which are located within a block of each other.
Officers make regular patrols at the schools during the day to ensure they are safe. Officers also work with the Head Start school on Main Street.
Lemoine said his department worked with the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office in an “active school shooter” training exercise at AHS.
“The training was helpful for myself and the officers,” Lemoine said. “We never want to use the training, but with two schools in Moreauville it was helpful to have the training.”
Officers from Moreauville help with Halloween festivities, the Christmas parade, the monthly Farmer’s Market and other events that may come up in the year.
“We want to continue training and become a better police department down the road,” Lemoine said. “We want to make the town a better place for the citizens and visitors.”