Youngsville Police Chief Rickey Boudreaux will be investigated, along with his Police Department, following public outcry over the handling of a November crash involving a former councilwoman who may have received special treatment.
The Youngsville City Council approved a resolution during a special meeting Thursday to allow the mayor to launch an independent investigation into Boudreaux and his agency. Boudreaux said he was asked to take administrative leave from his elected position, which he does not intend to do.
"I say good luck. That will not happen," Boudreaux said in the meeting. "I did nothing wrong criminally, morally or ethically. And I say to you loudly and proudly: I refuse to resign and remind you again you do not have the power to make that decision."
The investigation will span from the time Boudreaux first took office in 2015 through the present day. A human resources law firm located outside of the Acadiana region will conduct the investigation. The city council will choose a firm from three options presented by City Attorney Wade Trahan at its next regularly scheduled meeting April 13.
No one with any affiliation with the city of Youngsville, including Mayor Ken Ritter, will have any role in the investigation, Ritter said in a Friday statement. Once the firm's investigation is complete, the city will receive the findings and the council will decide if any findings in the report warrant additional investigation.
"The quality of the results on this inquiry hinge on the free flow of information between the investigators and police department employees," Ritter wrote. "Anonymity for those providing information is critical to this process in order to ensure the maximum relevant information is captured by the investigators."
The council decision to investigate the police chief comes days after The Acadiana Advocate story that detailed how Youngsville Councilwoman Kayla Menard Reaux called Boudreaux from the scene of a crash and left without receiving a citation or sobriety test. Reaux announced her resignation from the elected position she's held since 2021 ahead of the council's special meeting.
Thursday's meeting was standing-room only and tense at times as members of the public and the police chief addressed the council.
Marchello Joiner, a Black man and former law enforcement officer, questioned if he would have been treated differently had he been in the driver's seat that night.
"I don't think anybody's really taking it serious enough," Joiner said.
"What's going on, man? It's a joke to me. It's a joke because there's no way I would have gotten officer discretion. I would be on the ground with cuffs with a field sobriety test. It's really upsetting."
Heather Smith became emotional as she spoke in support of Reaux, who attended Thursday's meeting as a resident instead of a member of the council. Smith said Reaux has done a lot of good for her community, and one mistake should not define a person.
"They’re human beings," Smith said. "They’re flawed, as we are."
James "Bubba" Savell tried to ask questions of the council members but was told by the mayor that there wouldn't be a back-and-forth conversation, just public comments to be considered by the council.
"It's public comment. It's not public questioning," Ritter told Savell.
"All of you need to be fired," Savell responded. "Every single one of you. And I mean that."
John Romero said everyone needs to be held accountable, but many Youngsville residents have enjoyed favors by the police chief.
"Some wrongs were made. We all admit that. We've all done wrong," Romero said. "For those of you who are sitting here behind me saying there was special favoritism or whatever the case may be, the fact of the matter is we've all had it here."
George Knox, who until recently served as the city's attorney, questioned why the council would spend money on an investigation when it has no authority to remove the elected police chief from office or change the policies of his department.
"My concern in reading the resolution is the council is directing the mayor to expend public funds to do some sort of an investigation," Knox said. "Let's assume for the sake of argument that the investigation comes back and says we notice these procedures, these policies that need to be changed in the Youngsville Police Department.
"Well, the fact remains if you go to the Lawrason Act, you as a council have no ability to change any of the rules, policies or procedures in an elected chief of police department."
City Hall has received more calls this week than ever before. Calls and inquiries related to the investigation should not be directed to City Hall and should be held until the city council chooses a firm to facilitate the investigation, Ritter said.
Boudreaux said he would cooperate with the investigation but said an investigation into the mayor and council should also take place.
The police chief said members of the council have asked him to fix tickets and some members of the council violated the state's open meetings law by meeting with the mayor earlier this week in private to discuss public matters.
"I want this inquiry. I do. I 100% am ready for them to come in and do their investigation," Boudreaux said.
Council member Lindy Bolgiano said it was in Boudreaux's best interest to resign. Boudreaux said Bolgiano has made the same mistake as Reaux, so he should resign as well.
"He is publicly intimidating a public official. Clear as day," Bolgiano said. "I'm not doing this to chastise or crucify the chief of police of the city of Youngsville. We're doing this because it's the right thing to do. When people bring things to our attention, and they are of utmost necessity to be looked into, it's not my job to dictate whether he is in the wrong or the right. It's my job to bring it to light and to have it investigated."
Boudreaux said he has worked hard to build the Police Department, his life and his reputation.
"I will not sit down and take it," Boudreaux said. "I will fight to the bitter end."