Two of the three council members voted to appoint Steven Istre as the new police chief. Council Member Darla Istre abstained due to the fact that Steven is her son.
The council says a handful of candidates were interviewed for the vacancy, but finding someone willing to take on the job has proved a challenge, particularly for the village of Mermentau as of late.
The village still has about seven to ten days worth of paperwork and other things to do as Istre has been appointed but not sworn in.
Istre has little law enforcement experience, but did qualify for the position. He will also take training courses with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Since the village council ousted their police chief in early February, the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office has been aiding the village by patrolling the streets. It will continue to help Mermentau while Istre completes his training.
The training, according to council members, is important to everyone, including Istre who wants to take the position fully prepared.
The previous chief, 23-year-old Amber Dubois, was ousted earlier in the month when a judge said she violated the law. Dubois was found to be living in another town and according to the law, an elected chief must live in the city they serve.
Dubois won the position in 2010 running unopposed. The council raised questions about her qualification in December, however, after she was arrested in Crowley, when they learned of her Crowley residency.
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