The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office is temporarily responding to calls inside Cullen after the town’s police department lost its liability insurance coverage earlier this year and remains without confirmed reinstatement.
Sheriff Jason Parker said Wednesday that his office is assisting within city limits while Cullen’s insurance status remains uncertain. “We are answering calls inside the city for the time being,” Parker stated.
Documents obtained earlier this month showed that the Town of Cullen’s liability insurance was canceled June 25, 2025, by Risk Management, Inc., a subsidiary of the Louisiana Municipal Association. The cancellation letter, addressed to Mayor Terry Hoof, cited nonpayment of $46,364.04 in premiums.
A separate notice to Police Chief Rankin confirmed the loss of professional liability coverage for the police department. The cancellation means officers and patrol units have been operating without coverage, prompting sheriff’s deputies to step in for safety and liability reasons.
The town’s financial problems have continued to mount. According to a report by KTBS, more than $100,000 in public funds were misappropriated, triggering a state investigation by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office. The findings were discussed during a tense town meeting Monday, where residents questioned how a $369,000 grant had been used. Auditors reportedly discovered portions of the grant were spent on employee bonuses and supplemental pay, with discrepancies significant enough to prompt a formal review.
Adding to the turmoil, town clerk, Dominque Parish, and town attorney, Michael Kelly, have resigned, with Kelly citing unpaid invoices. A newly appointed assistant clerk told residents that all town employees, including police officers, are up to date on paychecks and that the town “is not broke.”
During Monday’s meeting, Mayor Hoof said the town remains financially stable but could not comment on details of the audit until further information is gathered. Residents repeatedly called for transparency and accountability, questioning financial practices, employee appointments, and water system management.
Earlier reports also revealed that Cullen residents are still paying for garbage collection services that have not been contracted since February. Town employees have been handling trash pickup without a set schedule.
The Legislative Auditor’s Office confirmed that the town remains under active investigation. No timeline has been given for completion of the audit, and officials from Cullen Town Hall have not provided further comment.