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Local council backs ordinance to preserve Ward Three marshal’s operational authority
Summary
Iberia Parish council members and city and parish officials signaled support for an ordinance recognizing the operational arrest powers of the Ward Three city marshal after state‑level legislation threatened to curtail local marshal authority. Marshal James Martin Sr. urged the council to formalize local support.
The Iberia Parish public‑safety committee moved forward on an ordinance to recognize and continue the existing operational authority of the Ward Three city marshal following state legislative activity that briefly threatened marshal powers.
James “Pacman” Martin Sr., the Generet city marshal and national association leader, told the committee that he traveled to Baton Rouge to oppose language in House Bill 1038 that initially would have limited marshals’ arrest and warrant powers. He said the state language was revised but asked the parish to adopt a local ordinance so that the marshal’s authority is clear locally. “I wanted to show them I have the support of my parish council,” Martin said, describing the ordinance as a local bill that would protect the office’s operational role.
Committee members and councilors from the east end of the parish spoke in support, citing the marshal’s role in traffic enforcement, narcotics interdiction and emergency response in an area with limited municipal police staffing. Council members noted that the marshal’s office contributes revenue to the parish and runs its own operations, including deputies and vehicles, and they praised Martin for proactive enforcement on state highways within his ward.
The committee voted to send the ordinance to formal publication and a full council vote; proponents said they expect the measure to be acted upon at the next council meeting after required publication.
