by Wesley Harris
A longtime drug enforcement agent and former local police officer has been selected as Ruston’s new chief of police.
Eric Watson, 55, of Shreveport, was nominated by Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker at a meeting of the City Council Monday evening to replace Steve Rogers who retired February 21.
After a motion by council member Melanie Lewis, seconded by John Denny, the vote by the council was unanimous.
In announcing his decision to recommend Watson, Walker said, “This is the most important decision I’ve had to make in ten years.”
Before an audience of about 75, with a dozen or so RPD officers lining the back of the room, each council member thanked the other applicants, which included current Ruston personnel and one retired RPD lieutenant.
Council member Angela Mayfield echoed the mayor’s sentiments on the significance of the selection.
“This was the hardest decision I’ve had to make sitting in this seat,” said Mayfield.
In addition to praising the candidates, Mayfield said she hoped “we can work together” for Ruston’s benefit.
“I got lots of calls [about the candidates],” said Bruce Siegmund, City Ward 5 councilmember. “We have a lot of great officers. I trusted the committee the mayor put together” in making the decision to vote for Watson.
Earlier in the day, Walker met individually with those candidates who were interviewed to inform them of his decision.
“I learned a lot in those nine interviews,” said Walker in reference to the applicants sharing their insight on the future of the department.
Walker invited Watson to make a short statement. He thanked the mayor and the interview committee for the way the selection process was handled.
“I look forward to working with all of you,” Watson said.
Retired lieutenant Brian Vann, who also interviewed for the position, said, “I’m happy and proud.”
Vann worked with Watson at RPD in the 90s. Speaking of Watson, Vann said, “I’m proud of him.”
Although Watson’s career has taken him around the world, his roots are local. He grew up in Arcadia, attended Simsboro School and Cedar Creek, and holds a B.A. in sociology from Louisiana Tech.
Watson was part of the local 527th Engineer Battalion of the Louisiana National Guard that was sent to Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.
The new chief was a Ruston patrol officer from 1993 to 1998 before accepting a job with the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Over a career spanning 25 years, Watson worked on drug trafficking cases on a local, national, and international level as well as holding managerial positions.
Among Watson’s assignments in the DEA were postings to Fayetteville, AR; Kansas City, MO; Dallas and Shreveport. He served as resident agent in charge of the Shreveport office, working closely with city, parish, and state law enforcement agencies in north Louisiana.
Other postings included six years as DEA country attaché to Pakistan and as an inspector for the DEA’s Office of Professional Responsibility. He retired from the DEA in February 2024 and has been working in private industry.
Watson will be the second Ruston police chief to have served in a federal drug enforcement agency. Don Hammon worked for the U. S. Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs before becoming Ruston’s police chief in 1973. The BNDD was the direct predecessor of today’s DEA.
Watson said he expects the mayor to call a press conference later in the week. Mayor Walker said last week that details regarding the new chief’s start date and swearing-in would be worked out once the Council approved a candidate. Meanwhile, RPD Deputy Chief Chad Hamlin will continue his temporary appointment as interim chief until Watson is officially sworn in.
