Louisiana Community Residents May Be Forced to Elect Police Chief Accused of Assaulting Underage Girls

Residents of a small Louisiana community are trying to avoid being forced to elect a police chief who is accused of raping two underage girls.

Elizabeth — a village in Allen Parish with roughly 400 residents — is in danger of automatically electing the unopposed Republican candidate, Christopher Paul, in November. Paul was arrested on September 8 and charged with rape stemming from crimes that allegedly took place in 2005 and 2006 with two 13-year-old girls, according to KLFY. He turned himself in to police and has since been released on $60,000 bond.

Paul was previously running for chief of police against Zachary LaCaze. However, KALB reports LaCaze bowed out of the race after learning that his job with the federal government created a violation of the Hatch Act. So, for the sake of providing for his wife and child, he rescinded his candidacy and stepped out of the race.

As a result, the citizens of Elizabeth could automatically elect Paul once LaCaze’s letter stepping down is received by the Secretary of State’s Office. With the election rapidly approaching, citizens of the community are hoping for a way out of having an accused rapist as their chief of police.

In a statement issued by Mayor Leo Green, she reminded the community that, although Paul has been arrested and charged, he has not been convicted of any crime. Therefore, neither her office nor the Board of Aldermen can do anything to prevent the election outcome.

“The role answers directly to the voters — not to the Mayor or the Board,” she wrote.

However, KPLC reports that steps are being taken to ensure something can be done and that this can be prevented in the future. During a special meeting held on Friday, September 26, the village’s Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance to put an item on the upcoming ballot in December that would change the police chief from an elected position to an appointed position.

This issue would still need to be voted on, which would take place after the potential election of Paul. It’s unclear if the new ordinance were to be voted in, how it would impact the sitting police chief, if at all.