Perry Shaw makes history as Delcambre’s first Black police chief

DELCAMBRE, La. () — Capt. Perry Shaw is making history as Delcambre's first Black police chief.

For more than 30 years the community has been under the leadership of Chief James Broussard. But, during the November election, residents elected Shaw, who has 30 years of law enforcement experience.

Shaw said he is excited that residents have given him the opportunity to serve as chief of police.

"I'm very appreciative that the community came out and decided that they wanted change and they selected me as the next chief of police," said Shaw.

"I recognized that accomplishment as being the first Black chief of police but it's a lot more than just being a Black chief of police. It's how you can relate to the public, and being fair with the public in every aspect of that job. Right is right and wrong is wrong, and I am going to stand by that," he continued.

Shaw's law enforcement career started in 1995 with the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office. From there he worked his way through the department and under the leadership of three different sheriffs.

"I have a lot of experience working my way through those departments and always being the head of a lieutenant in charge of patrol. I worked in the narcotics division for six years and did a lot of drug enforcement and then worked my way back into the fleet section and hazardous material with the state police," he said.

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KLFY Daily Digest Shaw said he wants to put resource officers in the local schools.

"I think it's going to benefit the school and protect the kids while they are in school," he said.

He added that he has been speaking with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office and the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office to bring in additional resources.

"I plan on coming together with both of those departments, and I want to work well with them, because they can provide many resources to a small town like Delcambre," Shaw said.

As police chief, Shaw said his job will include keeping the police department together.

"Everybody's so shorthanded. You don't want to go in and clean the house. You want to try to work with what you have now. Make them better but my role, the importance is keeping the department together and keeping the city safe," he said.

"It's all about public safety and taking care of the town of Delcambre, taking care of the residents of Delcambre [and] local quality of life," he continued.

He encouraged residents to "just reach out" to him if they have any questions or concerns.

"I want to know your concern and we're going to work toward it. A lot of time the law is a limit to what we can do and what we cannot do but I'm still trying my best to solve that issue, whatever it may be," he said.

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