DeRidder Police Chief John Gott says he is retiring

LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - DeRidder Police Chief John Gott says he is retiring on Dec. 31.

Gott made the announcement at the DeRidder City Council meeting on the evening of Dec. 11.

“33 years ago, I started in law enforcement," Gott said. "29 years ago, I came to work for the city of DeRidder. And I was blessed and honored by becoming y’all’s police chief back in 2009. Just short of 10 years now. It’s time to run the page and begin a new chapter of my life.”

Gott has been DeRidder police chief since 2009. In his over three decades in law enforcement, he also worked for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office.

He said when he became chief, his focus was to work on the relationship between the community and the department.

“It was a lot," Gott said. “It seemed like weekly, every day we were getting complaints on police officers. But I had made my mind up that if I ever had the opportunity to change it that, I was going to try and do that and I think that we have accomplished that."

When asked about his plans after Dec. 31, Gott said that he’s excited for what the future holds.

Deputy Chief Christopher Rudy will serve as Interim Chief beginning in January before a new chief is sworn in.

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