By Bonnie Culverhouse
Two new Minden Police Officers will be hitting the streets, effective immediately, with one in the wings until he passes post certification.
These will bring the number of paid civil service police officers to 27 at MPD.
In a special session of the Minden City Council Thursday, the three attending councilpersons voted to accept Kayla Little and Logan Clingan unanimously. Attending were District A Councilman Wayne Edwards, District B Councilwoman Terika Walker and District E Councilwoman Pam Bloxom.
Little has six years law enforcement experience, having attended and graduated the Alexandria regional Police Academy in 2019. She passed the Civil Service test with a score of 85 percent.
“She has numerous awards, and I believe will be an asset to the police department,” Chief Steve Cropper said.
Walker asked Little how she learned of the job at MPD.
“I moved to Bossier and my husband is a MP (military police) at Camp Minden, and he suggested it,” Little said. Walker also asked Little if she resides in Minden, which she does not.
Joel Alex Faulk has approximately seven years law enforcement experience. He graduated North La. Criminal Justice Academy in 2015, is Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified and has numerous law enforcement certifications. He passed the Civil Service test with a score of 88 percent.
When Walker asked Faulk how he learned of the job, he told her he was a Benton Police Officer for several years and has friends who are former Minden Police Officers.
“I’m very proactive and believe in proactive policing,” Faulk said. “From Benton, I took a more administrative role with the Bossier Parish Police Jury, checking weights and standards on trucks and trailers. My heart is as a criminal patrol officer.”
Walker asked Faulk if he is aware of the starting salary for a police officer, which is $13.75 per hour. He said he is aware of it.
Logan Clingan, a Minden resident, has a work background in offshore oil industry. He has experience in vessel environmental and critical safety equipment.
He is not P.O.S.T. certified but passed the Civil Service test with a score of 83 percent.
“He said his goal has been to pursue a career in law enforcement,” Cropper said. “His wife is originally from Minden and works for Webster Parish Child Protection Services. He’s a fine young man, very polite.”
Edwards asked Clingan if he was comfortable with the starting salary, and Clingan answered yes.
“I took steps to compensate for the salary,” Clingan said, adding that he is currently working on his criminal justice degree.
The vote for Little and Clingan was unanimous, however, the vote for Joel Alex Faulk, was 2 to 1, with Walker casting the dissenting vote.
Walker refused to answer questions concerning her vote.
Little was scheduled to start work Monday, November 8, while the other two are undergoing training, Cropper said.
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