Calder "Pop" Hebert takes reins of the St. Martinville Police Department

The City Council met briefly this evening (Friday, May 23) to appoint Calder "Pop" Hebert substitute chief of police.
The title is substitute rather than interim because outgoing Chief Paula Smith has vacation and sick leave to see out.
But all expectations are that Hebert, a former U.S. marshal, will go on to become the city's permanent chief of police.
"It's a new day," said Councilman Mike Fuselier. "With Pop's leadership, his expertise, I'm excited to have him."
A St. Martinville native, Hebert served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marshals Service before come back home to work for Parish Government as a zoning and planning coordinator and special projects director.
Hebert oversaw the renovation of the historic old courthouse among other projects.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity and to the challenge," Hebert said. "I'm looking forward to working with these officers to make St. Martinville proud of its police department."
Hebert still has to pass the chief's Civil Service test.
Only Fuselier and Arthur Champ were present, a quorum along with Mayor Thomas Nelson. The mayor said he polled the other council members, all of whom were out of town, and said they are all in support of Hebert's appointment.
Nelson said he asked Hebert to be visible in the community.
"One of our biggest complaint is loitering, loud music, and people in the street," Nelson said.
Among those in the audience was former SMPD administrative officer Todd D'Albor, now police chief in Jennings.
"I know that Pop is going to be like Todd was," said Fuselier. "If you called him about something, he didn't have to find out about it. He already knew what was going on."