Major structural changes may be in store for the Louisiana Police Department.

The discussion began after the death last July of Police Chief Rich Hughes, and focused primarily upon administrative oversight. It has since branched out to department operations and financing.

The City Council will hold a special meeting on the topic at 6 p.m. Monday (May 11). Mayor Bart Niedner calls it a roundtable about what he and others consider a vital public safety matter.

Niedner praised Deputy Police Chief April Epperson for doing what he termed a remarkable job in the last 10 months. But he added that because the police department is the largest budgeted city expenditure, clear direction is needed promptly.

Two possibilities have emerged. First, the city could seek candidates for police chief locally and nationally. Second, a consultant could be hired to address a wide range of department needs.

Niedner says there is no set agenda and he welcomes all input. An executive session Monday night is a possibility.