LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)- At its 2018 annual awards luncheon in Alexandria on Friday, the Magnolia State Peace Officers Association recognized the Lafayette Police Department for its recent efforts and commitment to diversify the police department. “Every child who is raised in Lafayette should be able to look at their police department and see an officer who looks like they do,” said Chief Toby J. Aguillard

The Lafayette Police Department said it is looking for all qualified candidates with college, military, and/or prior law enforcement in their backgrounds, to apply for a challenging and rewarding career. “Minorities such as women, African-Americans, Hispanics, and those of the Islamic faith should know that they are welcome to apply,” the department said in a statement today.

When Interim Chief of Police Reginald Thomas stepped into his role in January of 2016, the department’s percentage of minority officers was at 11 percent, the department said.

Recruitment efforts have brought the percentage of minority officers up to 22 percent currently.

“The goal of our recruitment efforts has been to create an increasingly diverse police force that is representative of our city. Diversity is now something that officers at all levels of the department think about, realize the importance of, and strive to improve,” said Aguillard

Contact the Lafayette Police Department Recruiting Office at (337) 291-8663, visit the application page, or email at recruitlpd@lafayettela.gov,