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Central council weighs hybrid, contract or full police department; resolution and vote to follow
Summary
Council debated three options for the city's law-enforcement future — contract with East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, create a full-time Central police department, or adopt a hybrid model — and directed staff to prepare resolutions and contracts for a council vote at a later meeting.
The City Council discussed options May 26 to shape Central's future law-enforcement model, weighing a continued contract with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office (EBRSO), establishing a full-time Central Police Department, or adopting a hybrid model.
Mayor Evans and staff cautioned that standing up a full-time department now would create large legacy costs and could deplete the general fund within a few years; the mayor said a multi-year contract with periodic reviews might be more financially sustainable. "To bite off a 4, let's call it 4 million for a full-time department tomorrow is very difficult," the mayor said, urging caution and more revenue before creating a department.
Chief Corkran, speaking during public comment, said the current hybrid model is working and noted that EBRSO offered to continue coverage while a local department stood up. "Hybrid model, that's where we're at now... we work well together with the sheriff's office," the chief said, adding that community support for taxes is uncertain.
Council members agreed to a procedural approach: staff will draft three resolutions (one per option) and the council will indicate preferences at the next meeting so a majority-supported resolution can be voted on. The mayor suggested drafting 10-year contract frameworks with reviews at five and seven years; others proposed a preliminary vote where each member selects a preferred option to guide the drafted resolution that will be presented for formal action.
No formal contract was authorized at this meeting; council members directed staff to prepare documents and posted options for the next meeting's vote.
