A new direction

MAMOU — Brent Zackery felt that it was God’s plan for him to serve his hometown.
“I am a praying man and feel that I was put here for a reason,” Zackery said. “I can’t fail the town or God. I want to give my all to do everything the right way.”
Zackery was elected as Mamou’s Police Chief back in March and has quickly begun to put his stamp on the position, and the department as a whole. Zackery has already hired a handful of new officers and has sent them to training (both at the police academy and FBI), all in an effort to protect the town with a stronger presence in the community. Zackery is also in the process of looking into classes with the Louisiana State Police. Zackery also plans to utilize available grant money to help fund progress in the department and settle old cold cases.
“It is time to take a stand in our town,” Zackery said. “We can’t let drugs and violence be introduced to the youth of the community.”
Assistant Chief of Police Phyllis Soileau is pleased with the direction Zackery has provided in such a short time.
“The chief is letting us get things done that has needed to be done a long time ago,” Soileau said.
Zackery, the son of Betty and Arville Zackery, was born and raised in Mamou and wants to better protect his community, especially the youth. He and his wife, Conner, are the parents of young daughter Arianna and are expecting their second daughter soon. Zackery became interested in law enforcement as a young child watching his favorite police shows, such as “Cops,” “Rescue 911” and the hit film “Smokey and the Bandit.”
The 28-year-old Zackery has been involved with law enforcement for nearly a decade.
In 2008, he graduated from the Acadiana Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA). Before running for Mamou Police Chief, Zackery had worked part-time with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office and served as Evangeline Parish Ward 3 Constable. The latter position had Zackery in charge of warrants for Mamou and assist the MPD.
Zackery plans to focus on youth of the community by educating them on the dangers of drugs and violence. He is working on setting up special activities this summer which will allow the youth to meet with the various members of the police and fire departments and learn from them. He also plans to get the DARE program back up and running as soon as possible.
With all of the issues the department has faced under the previous two chiefs (Gregory Dupuis and Robert McGee) who left office in disgrace due to tasering incidents, Zackery stated it is very important to him to bring honor back to the police department.
Zackery’s main goal is to “straighten up the department and run it the right way.”
Zackery emphasized, “I want to bring it back to where it should be, with no short cuts and by honoring my promise to the people to run the department by the book.”