In Calcasieu Parish the Police Jury has appointed a Parish Administrator to manage the overall operations of the Parish. This council/manager form of government provides for a professionally managed organization which is less influenced by political considerations than some other structures of local government. In order to facilitate an orderly handling of specific issues, police juries commonly appoint standing committees to review items prior to consideration by the full body. The CPPJ has five standing committees: Public Works, Ways & Means, Agenda, Personnel, and Budget.

In regular or special meetings the Police Jury authorizes new projects, receives recommendations from the various standing and special committees and takes action thereon, receives reports from the various Parish departments and takes action as required. It adopts ordinances and resolutions which regulate many matters affecting public safety, health, convenience and good order of the Parish, and takes all other action incidental and necessary for Calcasieu Parish as a whole.

In Calcasieu Parish, the Police Jury has appoints a Parish Administrator to manage the overall operations of the Parish. This council/manager form of government structure provides for a professionally managed organization which is less influenced by political considerations than some other structures of local government.

The police jury regularly meets three times per month. Two of these monthly meeting dates are known as “regular” meetings, while one meeting date is reserved for committees to conduct business. Regular meetings are designated for the government body to take action on official Parish business, such as authorizing new projects, receiving reports and recommendations from the various committees and parish departments, and then taking action as required. It adopts ordinances and resolutions which regulate many matters affecting public safety, health, convenience and good order of the Parish, and takes all other action necessary for Calcasieu Parish as a whole.

The Police Jury performs several executive functions. It is the administrator of public property which belongs to the Parish. The best known examples are the Parish Courthouse and Calcasieu Correctional Center, which the Police Jury is required to provide and keep in proper repair, and to expand when necessary to provide adequate space. Other duties of the Police Jury include maintenance of parish roads, bridges and drainage systems, regulation of traffic and speed limits on parish roads, adoption of subdivision regulations, zoning regulations relative to the most appropriate use of property, and maintenance of parish parks. The Police Jury is also responsible for establishing precinct boundaries for elections and the polling place for voting within each precinct.

According to law created by the State of Louisiana, The Police Jury must pay for the manpower, equipment, and supplies needed to conduct the various operations of the Parish. It must also pay either all or part of the operations and salaries for some elected officials of the Parish, and is responsible for financing the operations of the District Court, except the salaries of the District Judges.

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury is responsible for a wide variety of functions, and the list keeps growing. Your Police Juror has many responsibilities and considerable authority with reference to the operation of the business of the Parish. Every citizen should become as familiar as possible with our system so that the most qualified persons will be elected to promote the common interests of the Parish.

Click Here to Learn About the History of Calcasieu Parish