Abbeville Council terminates two police officers, suspends two others

After meeting in executive session for nearly three hours Tuesday, the Abbeville City Council voted to terminate two Abbeville police officers and suspend two others for one-day each without pay.

During a special meeting, the council terminated the services of Rusty Meaux and Isiah Rochon. Meaux was accused of conducting a search without a warrant on Nov. 1, while Rochon allegedly neglected to use video and audio surveillance during an instance in October. Rochon’s alleged actions violate policies set by Abbeville Police Chief Tony Hardy. The charges against each officer are second offenses, according to the council.

The city council also ruled that officers Chris Hardy and William Proctor will each serve one-day suspensions for separate

individual violations. Both were said to be first offenses.

Chief Hardy offered no comment on any of the four officers’ situations.

After the council voted 4-0, with abstention from Councilman Wayne Landry, District D, the council voted to find Meaux guilty of the charge of conducting a warrantless search early last month. Chief Hardy offered a recommendation of a 10-day suspension. Francis Touchet, District B, disagreed.

“I’m going to make a recommendation that we move for termination due to the second offense violation,” Touchet said.

Councilman-at-Large Francis Plaisance offered a second to Touchet’s motion. The council voted 4-0, with Landry again abstaining, for termination.

The council voted to find Rochon guilty of not using proper surveillance on Oct. 23, for which Hardy offered a two-day suspension. The council also voted to find Rochon guilty of the same offense during an instance on Oct. 25. For that, Hardy recommended to the council Rochon’s removal.

“I move that we terminate Mr. Rochon effective immediately,” Plaisance said.

Touchet gave a second. The council voted 4-0, with an abstention from Landry.

The possibility remains open that the officers can appeal the council’s decision. If that were to happen, the appeals would be heard by the Abbeville Fire and Police Civil Service Board.