Man Accused of Child Rape Poised to Become Small-Town Police Chief

A Louisiana village of roughly 400 residents could soon elect a police chief who is facing allegations involving the rape of two children, after his only challenger withdrew from the race.

Chris Paul, 46, was campaigning to lead the Elizabeth Police Department when he was arrested early last month and charged with two counts of second-degree rape involving 13-year-old girls, according to KPLC.

His sole opponent subsequently ended his campaign, leaving Paul as the only candidate on the ballot for next month’s election.

With the qualifying period now over, Paul cannot be removed or replaced on the ballot. Louisiana law also bars people convicted of felony offenses from holding public office, but pending charges alone do not disqualify him from seeking the community’s highest law enforcement post.

Paul was arrested in September over allegations that the offenses occurred about two decades ago.

He had initially been scheduled to face Zach Lacaze in the November election. Lacaze withdrew on Sept. 23, saying the position would have required him to leave his full-time federal job at Fort Polk, a U.S. Army installation in Louisiana.

NEXT UP: Arizona State Cheerleader Charged After Viral Police Confrontation

“As much as I love being a police officer and as much as I wanted to be your Chief of Police, I have a responsibility to my family,” Lacaze said in a Facebook post.

“My full-time job is what provides for my wife and son, and I cannot take that away from them. So, as much as it hurts me, I have to step away from this election.

“Being a police officer is something I truly love. I wanted the Chief of Police position because I believed I could make a difference in the community where I grew up, where my family lives, and that I proudly call home.”

Lacaze’s departure leaves Paul running without an opponent.

Paul is expected to take office on Jan. 1 if elected. The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation, established after the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, has called on him to leave the race while the criminal case remains unresolved.

Local officials have also said they may consider changing the system so future Elizabeth police chiefs are appointed by aldermen rather than chosen in an election.