Justin
Brown, the long-time #2 man at the Franklinton Police Department, has been
named chief of police. The announcement was made late last week by Franklinton
Mayor Richard Dillon.
Dillon said he and the Franklinton Board of Aldermen are pleased about Brown’s appointment. Brown will succeed Olander Smith, who has stepped down after serving three years as police chief, apparently to run for sheriff of Washington Parish.
Brown will be appointed acting chief this Friday and will officially be sworn in on February 12. Currently holding the rank of major in the police department, Brown has served as assistant chief of police for both former chief Donald Folse as well as Smith.
Dillon said Brown was selected after an extensive interview process and said he is grateful to each of the candidates who were interviewed for the chief’s position. The mayor said the quality of the candidates was impressive. “We have a wealth of talented and dedicated law enforcement officers in our department,” he said.
Brown is a Franklinton native, educated in local schools. He graduated from Franklinton High School and then went on to Southeastern Louisiana University. He is the son of David and Marsha Brown of Franklinton, and is married to Meghann Cassidy Brown. The Browns have three children: Brody, Addison, and Drew.
Brown has been the lead investigator on several of Frankinton's most heinous and high profile murder cases. He led the 2008 double homicide investigation in East Acres that resulted in the sentencing of the murder suspect to life in prison without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. Brown said he and his investigative team lived with the crime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until the arrest and conviction was made.
Brown has also been the primary grant writer for the police department. It is through his grant writing that the department has been able to constantly upgrade its vehicle fleet, mostly with new Chevrolet Tahoes.
In addition to his police work, Brown was also a long-time member of the Louisiana Air National Guard, reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. He was called up for every hurricane to hit Louisiana while in the Guard. He also was called up to active duty and deployed to the Middle East during Operation Enduring Freedom, which was launched following the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
While attending college at Southeastern, Brown was called to join his unit in Belle Chase at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base for the next eight months before being deployed to the Middle East. After his overseas tour, Brown enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force where he acquired a degree in Criminal Justice. He holds numerous police-related and National Guard-related certifications.
Brown is a board member of the Franklinton Dixie Baseball Association, and has been the coach of the Franklinton Police Department’s youth baseball team for the last five years.
Following his appointment, Brown said, “I am humbled and honored to be selected as the new Chief of Police for Franklinton. I intend to lead from the front, drawing on the many talents of our amazing officers. Our mission will be focused on crime prevention, community interaction, and public service.”
He added, “I pray that God will continue to watch over our town, the Franklinton Police Department, and the selfless officers who put their lives on the line each and every day in order to make a difference. I also pray for wisdom and guidance as I am entrusted with this new role.”
Brown said he is grateful to Mayor Dillon and the Board of Aldermen for their strong support of the police department. “I look forward to the new opportunities ahead and I will strive to continue building strong working relationships with fellow law enforcement agencies and with our community.”
Dillon said he and the Franklinton Board of Aldermen are pleased about Brown’s appointment. Brown will succeed Olander Smith, who has stepped down after serving three years as police chief, apparently to run for sheriff of Washington Parish.
Brown will be appointed acting chief this Friday and will officially be sworn in on February 12. Currently holding the rank of major in the police department, Brown has served as assistant chief of police for both former chief Donald Folse as well as Smith.
Dillon said Brown was selected after an extensive interview process and said he is grateful to each of the candidates who were interviewed for the chief’s position. The mayor said the quality of the candidates was impressive. “We have a wealth of talented and dedicated law enforcement officers in our department,” he said.
Brown is a Franklinton native, educated in local schools. He graduated from Franklinton High School and then went on to Southeastern Louisiana University. He is the son of David and Marsha Brown of Franklinton, and is married to Meghann Cassidy Brown. The Browns have three children: Brody, Addison, and Drew.
Brown has been the lead investigator on several of Frankinton's most heinous and high profile murder cases. He led the 2008 double homicide investigation in East Acres that resulted in the sentencing of the murder suspect to life in prison without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. Brown said he and his investigative team lived with the crime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until the arrest and conviction was made.
Brown has also been the primary grant writer for the police department. It is through his grant writing that the department has been able to constantly upgrade its vehicle fleet, mostly with new Chevrolet Tahoes.
In addition to his police work, Brown was also a long-time member of the Louisiana Air National Guard, reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. He was called up for every hurricane to hit Louisiana while in the Guard. He also was called up to active duty and deployed to the Middle East during Operation Enduring Freedom, which was launched following the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
While attending college at Southeastern, Brown was called to join his unit in Belle Chase at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base for the next eight months before being deployed to the Middle East. After his overseas tour, Brown enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force where he acquired a degree in Criminal Justice. He holds numerous police-related and National Guard-related certifications.
Brown is a board member of the Franklinton Dixie Baseball Association, and has been the coach of the Franklinton Police Department’s youth baseball team for the last five years.
Following his appointment, Brown said, “I am humbled and honored to be selected as the new Chief of Police for Franklinton. I intend to lead from the front, drawing on the many talents of our amazing officers. Our mission will be focused on crime prevention, community interaction, and public service.”
He added, “I pray that God will continue to watch over our town, the Franklinton Police Department, and the selfless officers who put their lives on the line each and every day in order to make a difference. I also pray for wisdom and guidance as I am entrusted with this new role.”
Brown said he is grateful to Mayor Dillon and the Board of Aldermen for their strong support of the police department. “I look forward to the new opportunities ahead and I will strive to continue building strong working relationships with fellow law enforcement agencies and with our community.”
Justin Brown has been appointed the new Chief of Police of Franklinton, Louisiana
