LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)-- The Lafayette Police Department confirmed six officers are on administrative leave after two officer-involved shootings last month. With six officers out, the LPD has to make staffing adjustments to adequately staff city patrol.  

The police department temporarily suspended their mental health patrol called Community Assistance Redirection and Education Service (C.A.R.E.S.) because they needed the staff.

"We needed to take those two individuals who were assigned to the C.A.R.E.S. unit and put them on shifts," LPD Information Officer Sgt. Robin Green said.

Sgt. Kristina Strong is the C.A.R.E.S unit sergeant. 

Sgt. Strong is optimistic the temporary suspension of the mental health unit is truly temporary.

"I'm not discouraged," Strong said. "I've been here for almost 20 years, and I've seen this come and go. There are times when we need people on patrol and that's just the most important aspect of our job is keeping the community safe." 

Sgt. Green provided a count of officers recently placed on administrative leave.

"In one incident five officers were placed on administrative leave, and an additional one which was on March 31," Green said. "That is a total of 6 officers that we currently have on administrative leave."

Other departments impacted include the traffic division and officers who train newly on-board academy officers.

"Patrol does come first because we have to able to respond and handle calls as needed to keep the city safe," Green added.

According to the LPD, the officers will be on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation conducted by Louisiana State Police.  

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