Say “Hello” to William Fitzpatrick. He is one of the newest members of the Coushatta Police Department. The Journal met up with Fitzpatrick as he was preparing to go out on patrol. Fitzpatrick says he has been on the force about a month after he graduated from the Natchitoches Police Department Police Academy.

Coushatta Chief Kevin Stafford said Fitzpatrick and Jeremy Wiggins are the two new city police officers. Stafford said he met with them this week and they are patrolling Coushatta on a regular basis. “We need to be visible,” said Stafford “Get out into the neighborhoods, walk through the area and build a relationship with the citizens.”

Stafford told the Journal that they are taking the slogan “to protect and to serve” seriously. He said, “You pay us and you deserve good service. We will provide the best service we can. Every concern will be hear and addressed.” Asked about the size of the task ahead, Stafford said, “It’s a big job, but I’ve got some big shoulders.”