Leesville appoints new police chief

Published 7:20 am Friday, December 26, 2025

The Leesville City Council held their last regular meeting of the year on Monday and appointed Amanda Westmoreland as the new police chief.

Westmoreland, originally from DeRidder, began her career in law enforcement in 1999 and previously served as the chief secretary for the city of Leesville for five years. Westmoreland said she is excited to serve as the new police chief and looks forward to serving the people.

“I’m excited, change is a little hard sometimes and scary but I am ready to work and can’t wait to see what the future holds,” Westmoreland said.

Councilman Chris Robertson congratulated and spoke in regards to Westmoreland, saying she has a lot of people speaking highly of her.

“Welcome aboard. I didn’t get a chance to meet you, but I did make some phone calls. We think you’re going to do a fabulous job,” Robertson said.

Mayor Rick Allen presented outgoing Police Chief Beth Westlake with a plaque on behalf of the city for retiring after 30 years of loyal service and dedication to the Leesville Police Department.

“Beth, thank you for everything you did. You brought honor and integrity to that office that will be there for a long time to come so thank you for everything you do and continue to do for this great city that you love and serve,” Allen said.

Westlake said she is glad she was given the opportunity to help train Westmoreland in her transition because it also helped her transition out, saying it would be hard to just stop showing up after 30 years of service to the city.

“I’ve spent 30 years of my life working for the city — more than half my life — and it’s meant a lot to me and I appreciate all of y’all’s support over the years. It’s been great, you’ve been great to me while I was the chief and you’ve taken care of our department and I’ll be around even after I retire, I’ll come visit,” Westlake said.

Also during the meeting, Allen swore in a new council member to the Civil Service Board, Breanna McQueary. McQueary is taking Dan Duhon’s position after he stepped away.

“Thank you for your service, your continued service and thank you for serving on this Civil Service Board that is so important to our citizens and police officers and firemen for the city of Leesville. Thank you, Mr. Duhon, for your service,” Allen said.

During the meeting, agreed to hire Kolder Slaven and Company to provide audit services for the Fiscal Years ending 2027 to 2030 and entered into customer agreement with Cleco to participate in the energy efficient program to support and offset cost of electricity at the Martin Luther King Center.

“We’re changing all the lighting at the Martin Luther King center to LED, it is a program through Cleco and it will not only lower our cost of the electricity at the Martin Luther King center but will also be brighter and will do a better job on our basketball court and inside the building” Allen said.

Luke Brandon, president of Merchant and Farmers Bank, also presnted a $20,000 check for the Leesville Recreation Complex, where they will be putting bleachers on the practice field.

“It’s been a great year and it has flown by,” Allen said.

The council will meet again at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12.