Baton Rouge Chief Revives Push For Deputy Chief

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Police Chief Carl Dabadie has revived a previously shelved effort to add deputy chiefs to the Baton Rouge Police Department, positions Dabadie says would create a clearer chain of command.

If the proposal survives labor negotiations, Dabadie would be able to tap veteran officers for the rank based on their qualifications — and not necessarily years of service — under a 2010 law that created a loophole in the promotional process.

Sergeants with eight or more years of experience would be eligible to apply for the three deputy chief positions. Deputy chiefs would be second in command to Dabadie and oversee the department's main bureaus.