Special to the American Press

Lake Charles Police Chief Shawn Caldwell has promoted two long-time officers to the rank of Deputy Chief: Major Kevin Kirkum (Investigations) and Sergeant Dustin Gaudet (Support).

Kirkum is a 35-year veteran of the Lake Charles Police Department and Gaudet is a 21-year veteran of the department.

A Lake Charles native, Kirkum is a graduate of LaGrange High School, the Calcasieu Parish Regional Law Enforcement Academy, FBI National Academy and McNeese State University. He began his career at LCPD in 1988 and over his career has been assigned to the Patrol Division, Narcotics Division, Task Force Officer for ATF and Captain over the Investigations Division. For the last two years Kirkum has served as Major/Commander of the Department’s Support Division. A decorated officer, he has been awarded the Department’s Medal of Merit, Medal of Valor, Investigator of the Year, Supervisor of the Year and he has received the Chief’s Award of Officer of the Year.

A Lake Charles native Gaudet is a graduate of Sam Houston High School, the Calcasieu Parish Regional Law Enforcement Academy and McNeese State University. He served in the Louisiana National Guard from 1993-1999, earning the rank of Sergeant in an infantry unit. Gaudet began his LCPD career in 2002, after serving two years as a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Deputy and has served LCPD as a Patrolman, Field Training Officer, Detective in both the Property and Violent Crimes Divisions, Department Planning Officer and most recently as the Department’s Internal Affairs Investigator. Gaudet is POST-certified both as a homicide investigator and as an officer-involved shooting investigator. He has been a member of the Department’s Crisis Negotiation Team for the past 17 years and has served this past year as the team’s coordinator. He also served four years as the Police Representative and the Chairman of the Lake Charles Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board. Gaudet is also a decorated officer having received awards for merit, professionalism and valor. He was named the 2018 Investigator of the Year and the Crisis Intervention Officer of the Year.

“Deputy Chiefs Kirkum and Gaudet are two decorated veterans of the Lake Charles Police Department. Their experience and proven leadership across a broad spectrum of divisions within the Department are aspects that helped me make my decision,” said Chief Caldwell. “Deputy Chiefs Kirkum and Gaudet understand and embrace the importance of positive relationships between police officers and community members and will prove to be a tremendous asset as they continue their work with the Department in their new roles.”

The police chief appoints Deputy Chiefs with approval by the mayor. Kirkum and Gaudet join Deputy Chief Michael Nicosia to round out the Department’s Command Staff. Deputy Chief Nicosia, a 22-year veteran of the Department, has served as Deputy Chief of Operations since January 2019.

“Chief Caldwell’s selection of Deputy Chiefs Kirkum and Gaudet represents a strong step in rounding out his administration,” Mayor Nic Hunter said. “These two officers represent the very best of what LCPD has to offer to the community. They have a proven track record of faithfully serving others through their long-term commitment and service to the Department and the citizens of this City.”