§326.3. Combined police authority; jurisdiction; administrative responsibilities; personnel, equipment, and expenses

            A. In addition to the authority, restrictions, requirements, and other provisions of R.S. 38:326 and 326.1, and notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Port of South Louisiana, the Lafourche Basin Conservation Levee and Drainage District, and the Pontchartrain Levee District may coordinate and cooperate jointly with each other to maintain order and to exercise general police power within the areas of such port and districts and upon their levees.

            B. The executive directors of the port and the districts may enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement to authorize the exercise of combined police protection within the areas of the port and districts, and to provide for the employment of officers and other personnel, equipment, and administrative services, necessary and useful to provide for and share the costs and expenses associated with such police protection. The cooperative endeavor agreement shall provide that title to equipment used pursuant to the agreement which is owned by the port or a district shall remain with the port or district.

            C. Each person employed as a police officer shall, at a minimum, be commissioned as a peace officer by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Such police officers shall have the right to exercise the power of arrest as peace officers, according to law, within the combined jurisdictions and boundaries of the port and the districts.

            D.(1) The governing authority of each entity designated in Subsection A of this Section that is a party to a cooperative endeavor agreement described in Subsection B of this Section shall appoint two members, respectively, to serve as members of a law enforcement coordinating and oversight committee.

            (2) At the initial meeting, the committee shall elect a president to serve as presiding officer. The presiding officer shall not cast a vote except in the case of a tie vote.

            (3) The committee may employ a chief law enforcement officer, subject to applicable civil service regulations. However, any applicant with at least twenty years of experience as a commissioned law enforcement officer who meets all of the requirements set forth in Subsection C of this Section shall be eligible for appointment.

            (4) The chief law enforcement officer shall:

            (a) Have the right to exercise the authority granted to police officers in Subsection C of this Section.

            (b) Supervise and direct the administration and operation of the combined police protection authorized by the cooperative endeavor agreement. All law enforcement personnel shall be subordinate to the chief.

            (c) Have general responsibility for law enforcement and be charged with the enforcement of all applicable laws and ordinances within the areas of the port and districts.

            E. Neither the Port of South Louisiana, the Lafourche Basin Conservation Levee and Drainage District, or the Pontchartrain Levee District shall authorize any additional funding for a position beyond the limits of its budget.

            Acts 2014, No. 858, §1; Acts 2024, No. 177, §1.