FERRIDAY — Former Ferriday Police Department Investigator Lt. Derrick Freeman took over as interim police chief this week after Mayor Gene Allen fired the former police chief citing a mounting number of unsolved burglaries.

Police Chief Richard Madison was fired Monday after Allen said he became concerned with the number of unsolved burglaries and crimes in the town.

“I want to see more burglaries solved and more cases solved in this town,” Allen said. “We’re going to begin our search for a new chief, but in the meantime Mr. Freeman will be acting chief.”

Allen said there were nearly 16 unsolved burglary cases in Ferriday, including burglaries at Bill’s Conoco and the crawfish building on E.E. Wallace Boulevard.

Madison was first appointed chief in 2006, but resigned in 2008 — 14 days before then mayor-elect Glen McGlothin took office.

Madison was appointed again in 2012 following Allen being elected mayor.

In Ferriday, the position of chief of police is appointed by the mayor rather than filled by election.

Freeman worked for FPD from 2004 to 2008 as a patrolman before leaving to work for the Concordia Parish Sherriff’s Office from 2008 to 2012.

Freeman returned to the FPD as an investigator in 2012.

The interim police chief said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the Town of Ferriday.

“When the mayor comes to you and makes the recommendation to be his police chief, that’s a huge honor,” Freeman said. “I just want to thank the mayor and the board for giving me this opporutnity.”

Freeman said his top priority in serving as interim chief would be to increase the department’s relationship with the community to lower crime.

“The community needs to feel like the department is working with them, not against them,” Freeman said. “We need to bring safety back to this community.”

Allen said the town would advertise the chief’s position for 60 days before making a decision on a permanent chief.