Welsh Police Chief Marcus Crochet on Wednesday announced that Lt. Laura Janise has been promoted as the town’s new assistant police chief.

Janise is no stranger to law enforcement having worked for the Welsh Police Department for nearly two decades, serving in various roles.

She replaces former assistant police chief Chris Myers who left the department last year after unsuccessfully running for sheriff.

“She brings a lot to the table,” Crochet told the American Press. “She has been here since 2006 working in every division here.”

He said her integrity, discipline and dedication will serve her well in her new leadership role.

“She won’t ask anything of anybody that she wouldn’t do herself and that’s a great quality in law enforcement,” Crochet said. “I’m glad to have somebody like her that I am able to put in that position to help take care of things.”

He said the promotion is based on Janise’s qualifications and job performance.

Janise has worked in dispatch, patrol and was recently promoted as lieutenant over the evidence room.

“She’s never been in trouble and has dedicated her law enforcement career to the town of Welsh,” Crochet said. “She has never been in any other department but Welsh.”

The promotion for Janise was immediately effective after being sworn in during Wednesday’s council meeting.

After the meeting, Janise said she is excited to be selected as assistant police chief and looks forward to continuing to work with the department.

“I just hope to continue to bring structure and accountability to the department and provide an environment that officers will want to work in,” Janise said.

Law enforcement is a family affair for Janise. Her father is a retired police officer and her two brothers are also in law enforcement.

In other appointments, the Welsh council named Alderwoman Jackie Balmer as mayor pro tem, Alderwoman Andrea King as landfill commissioner and Alderman Chuck Abell as alternate to the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA) board. Eva Kibodeaux was reappointed as town clerk, Rick Arceneaux as town attorney and Ben Cormier as magistrate.