Jennifer Lofton to be named Cottonport's acting police chief

Jennifer C. Lofton, who was defeated in a run-off election for Cottonport police chief in December, will be named acting police chief, Mayor Scotty Scott said Thursday.

The Town Council named Lofton as acting chief at its regular monthly meeting Monday (May 17) but was told by the Secretary of State's Office that the appointment couldn't legally be done until after Donald Jenkins' resignation takes effect Friday.

"We will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday to officially appoint her as chief," Scott said.

Jenkins, was defeated by incumbent Earnest Anderson in 2016 but led a four-candidate field with over 35 percent of the votes in the Nov. 3 election and defeated Lofton with 54.2 percent of the votes in the Dec. 5 runoff. He said he felt he had to resign due to lack of financial support from the Town Council that he believes is needed to address the town's law enforcement needs.

Lofton will be the town's first female police chief. There have been other women police chiefs in the parish.

A special election to fill Jenkins' remaining term will need to be called before June 16 for the election to be on the Oct. 9 ballot.