Mamou Police arrest one after rumors suggest police chief’s activities are criminal

By: MICHAEL BORDELON

News Editor

MAMOU - Mamou Police arrested Bobby F. Simmons, 1803 Lynn St., Franklin, for defamation after recent rumors regarding a confrontation between Mamou Police Chief Greg Dupuis and Louisiana State Police were spread throughout the parish.

Dupuis said the rumors that he engaged in a confrontation with Louisiana State Police at his office or that he was arrested for driving while intoxicated are utterly ridiculous and slanderous.

Dupuis offered a reward of $500, out of his own pocket, for information leading to the identity of the person or persons spreading what he called “unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations.”

Dupuis said, “It has come to my attention from several different sources that rumors alleging I have been involved in ‘criminal’ conduct have been circulating within the entire parish. At this time, I am adamantly denying such activity and going on record as stating these allegations are false and out right ‘lies.’”

Dupuis said he has been in law enforcement the majority of his life and he is sworn to uphold and enforce the ordinances of the Town of Mamou and the laws of the state. In no way, he said, would he ever break the laws he is sworn to enforce.

“I will be actively searching for the person or persons involved in this defamatory campaign against me and my family. My family and I have endured much criticism, unfounded remarks and allegations and now it will come to an end. I am no stranger to personal attacks from individuals with political agendas; however I will address those rumors which tend to deprive me of the public’s confidence and trust,” Dupuis said prior to Simmons’ arrest.

During the course and scope of the investigation conducted by the Mamou Police Department, the identity of at least one source of these “unsubstantiated allegations” was determined and confirmed.

Detective Todd Ortis said authorities learned Simmons was at least one party responsible for the spreading of “false information”, in an attempt to “deprive Chief Greg Dupuis of the public’s trust and good standing within the Town Of Mamou and surrounding areas of Evangeline Parish.”

Ortis added, “E-mails sent by Simmons to local news media have been recovered, alleging numerous unfounded allegations and outright lies.” A subpoena was filed to retrieve information from a local news source.

Dupuis stated, “As an elected official, I realize I am and will be under public scrutiny; however, when I am falsely accused of ‘criminal wrong-doing’ I do take issue with these types of allegations, and I will see that these matters are properly addressed.”

Mamou Police are actively pursuing other avenues during this investigation to uncover other sources of these “unfounded, false accusations.”

Ortis said more arrests may be forthcoming in the near future.

Dupuis said these rumors claimed his confrontation with state police led to the removal of the DWI machine in his department. However, Dupuis stated the machine was removed at his own request, as officers must be routinely recertified to use the machine, and with the turn around rate in law enforcement, it was not feasible to continue spending man hours to keep someone certified.

Dupuis asked anyone with information to contact him.

“Anyone with information regarding these unfounded remarks can freely contact me at my office at the Mamou Police Department or come by my home. As stated previously, I am offering ‘personally’ $500 for information leading to the people responsible for these ridiculous rumors and your information will remain completely anonymous.”