GONZALES, LA (WAFB) -
Gonzales mayor Barney Arceneaux weighed in on an incident he says is a poor reflection on a great police department.
"Should they have stopped the vehicle that night? Yes, absolutely," said Arceneaux. "Anytime a police officer comes up behind you and red lights...blue lights whatever it may be, I think you should stop your vehicle."
Chief Jackson says they didn't stop their SUV because they thought their fellow officers were pulling a prank on them. Gonzales residents say that's no excuse for their behavior that night.
"It makes me angry that they have the privilege to do what they want to do and not us," said Cynthia Fletcher. "I think the police department needs more training," said David Duvall. "I would've stopped with the lights going. It's the way it is. They should've pulled over. Something's wrong with somebody's thinking."
Mayor Arceneaux says his next step is to sit down with Chief Jackson to figure out what he and the other officers were thinking, and to ensure that this never happens again. "I certainly will talk to the chief. He's a friend of mine. He's doing a good job, and I'm sure he hates that this did take place," said Arceneaux.
The Chief of Police in Gonzales is elected to office and not appointed by the mayor as in some cities.
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