LaSalle Parish Sheriff-Elect Lane Windham has been appointed the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Executive Officer by Sheriff Scott Franklin, a capacity he will serve for six months before he is sworn in as LaSalle’s new Sheriff on July 1.
Windham received his oath December 28 at the Sheriff’s Office, with LaSalle Clerk of Court Steve Andrews administering the oath of office.
“This is something that Sheriff Carl Smith allowed me to do when I was first elected in 2007 and I wanted to continue the tradition to allow a smooth transition for the operation of the Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Franklin said. “Back in 2007, those six months were very valuable to me as a newly elected sheriff and I’m sure they will be for Lane as well.”
As Chief Executive Officer, Windham will be allowed as much control of the Sheriff’s Office as he desires by Sheriff Franklin, although the Sheriff- Elect said that is not his intention.
“Honestly, these six months will be used to evaluate the entire department as I work to set up plans that will be implemented when I officially take over in July,” he said. “I’m coming in with an open mind and will examine every facet of the department, from the road deputies to the civil office. It will give me an opportunity to see everyone’s duties and responsibilities and how effective they are in them.”
Windham said he took several weeks to relax after a long campaign this fall but upon coming back from a vacation, he is ready to get to work.
“I’m really excited about this and looking forward to it,” he said. “All that work last summer and fall has culminated to this point and now it’s here. But I’m ready.”
Sheriff Franklin noted that while he still maintains ultimate control of the Sheriff’s Office, he is allowing Windham as much freedom as he desires in the position of CEO.
“I’m sure he’ll do as I did back in 2007 and really look at all parts of the department and get things ready to start come the first of July,” he said. “He can begin to implement whatever changes he believes are needed but I don’t think that’s his plan.”
The Sheriff-Elect confirmed that thought by noting that as of right now, nothing will change until he has time to evaluate everything.
“During the campaign, I made a pledge to the deputies that their jobs were secure and I continue to maintain that we have some of the best deputies in the state right here in LaSalle Parish,” he said. “During this transition period, everyone will stay in their same positions until I have had a chance to fully evaluate the department.”
Along with examining the department, Windham said he is also making plans to fulfill another campaign pledge, which is to incorporate all of LaSalle Parish.
“When I said ‘working together for all of LaSalle Parish’ that’s exactly what I meant,” the Sheriff-Elect said. “Along with looking at our department internally, I’ll also be putting plans in place to help bring more unity among all town police departments, fire departments and other first responders.”
He said that in order for the parish to build unity, he must lead the way in promoting unity and work to help remove any divisions.
“Let’s be honest, the election took a toll on us as a parish but I want to be the first to reach across the aisle and offer my hand in support to everyone,” he said. “Whether someone voted for me or not will not affect my decisions or actions in providing fair law enforcement for the parish,” Windham said. “I will do everything in my power to restore relationships and demonstrate that this will be an impartial Sheriff’s Office. There is so much that we need to do to improve our parish and it will take all of us working together to accomplish it.”
Windham won the election for LaSalle Sheriff by a narrow margin, just 110 votes, back on November 18.
During the course of the campaign, the Sheriff-Elect promoted many programs and changes to the Sheriff’s Office and he said last week that those plans are still going to be implemented once he officially takes over.
“Right now, I’m just looking forward to getting in the office and taking the time to really get to know everyone better and learn the system,” he said.
In addition, Windham said there are several courses that he will have to complete before July 1 arrives.
“I’ve got to go to several schools for newly elected sheriffs and because of other positions the LaSalle Sheriff holds, other schools and courses are required to be completed,” he said. “So, along with examining the department I’ll also be getting all of my requirements from the state in as well.”
Sheriff Franklin currently sits on several governing boards in La-Salle Parish, positions he will have to step down from in the coming months to allow Windham to be appointed in his place.
“There is just a lot that has to be done and this is another reason why I’m thankful that Sheriff Franklin has allowed me to come in early,” he said. “Scott has been a great sheriff for the past 16 years and brought this department to the highest standards possible. I just get to build on top of the great foundation he has laid.”
