Interim Mayor Edward "Bubby'' Lyons' choice to head up the Mandeville Police Department might end up with a very short tenure if the mayor who is elected March 27 decides to hire someone else. After all, putting together an administrative team is a significant part of the mayor's job, and police chief is a key appointment. But while Mr. Lyons' rush to fill a post that's been vacant for an entire year is puzzling, the person he's chosen from more than 40 applicants, Percy "Rick'' Richard III, brings a welcome level of professional experience to the job. Mr. Richard is a 24-year FBI veteran who supervises 15 agents and five surveillance specialists in New Orleans and served as lead investigator in a case that involved links between organized crime and video poker. He has worked at the FBI's Washington offices, and his resume includes law enforcement experience with the Air Force and the Louisiana State Police.
