Franklinton Hires New Chief of Police

Longtime Franklinton Police Chief Donald Folse has retired and former State Police Major Olander Smith has been hired as the Town’s new chief.

Folse has been considering retirement for some time due to health issues and decided recently to do so.

Smith retired from the state police as commander of Region 1, which includes three state police troops. Earlier he had been commander of Troop L in Mandeville which serves Washington Parish and other nearby parishes. He had worked with the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Randy Seal following his retirement from the state police.

Folse had a long career in law enforcement. In addition to his service with the Franklinton Police Department, he also served with the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office. He served as former Chief of Police Lynn Armand’s captain when the police department was in its old building on Pearl Street. When Armand retired in late 1994, Folse was elevated to chief as of January 1, 2005.

Folse has said that overseeing law enforcement in Franklinton during and after Hurricane Katrina was among his greatest challenges as chief.

With Folse’s retirement and Smith’s appointment, Franklinton Mayor Wayne Fleming and the Board of Aldermen released a statement which said, in part:

“Chief Folse has done a tremendous job in leading the Franklinton Police Department to be recognized as one of the best in the state. We thank him for his 10-plus years of dedicated service at FPD to the citizens of our town and wish him nothing but the best.

“We are pleased to announce that Olander Smith will serve as our next Chief of Police. Chief Smith has over 30 years of experience with the Louisiana State Police. He has also worked with the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office during his career. He is well respected by the law enforcement community as well as the general public. We are confident he will continue to lead the department in a positive direction. At the request of Chief Smith, Chief Folse will assist in the transition.”

Former Chief of Police Donald Folse recently retired after 10-plus years of service to the citizens of Franklinton. During his tenure as chief, the Franklinton Police Department was named as the best department in the state on several occasions.