Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 20-559
 
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RE:
Request for an advisory opinion from Eric Stokes, a police officer for the Village of McNary (Rapides Parish) pop. 211, relative to whether an ethics conflict exists if he were to be elected Constable in Rapides Parish.
Facts:
Eric Stokes is employed as the Assistant Police Chief of the Village of McNary. Mr. Stokes has qualified to run for the elected position of Constable for Ward 4, 2nd Court.

Mr. Stokes' duties as Assistant Chief include traffic violations, misdemeanor arrests and some felony arrests. Anyone charged following a traffic stop or misdemeanor is handled with a magistrate in the Village of McNary. Felony charges are handled in the 9th Judicial District for the Parish of Rapides.

The Ward 4 2nd Court Constable duties consist of serving eviction notices and civil summons as ordered by the Justice of the Peace.

Mr. Stokes is paid by the Village of McNary and if he is elected Constable he would be paid by the Rapides Parish Police Jury.

The duties of Assistant Police Chief and Constable do not overlap, and Mr. Stokes would perform any duties as a Constable outside of the hours he is employed as the Assistant Police Chief.


Law:
La. R.S. 42:1111C(1)(a) prohibits a public servant from receiving any thing of economic value for any service, the subject matter of which is devoted substantially to the responsibilities, programs, or operations of the agency of the public servant and in which the public servant has participated or draws substantially upon official data or ideas which have not become part of the body of public information.
Recommendations:
Adopt proposed Advisory Opinion.
Assigned Attorney: Greg Thibodeaux
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2020-559 AO Draft _2 - Stokes
2020-559 - Advisory Opinion Request Eric Stokes
2020-559- Advisory Opinion Request - Eric Stokes
2020-559- Follow Up Letter from Eric Stokes