the Evil Line

Let's review.

November 20, 2009:

A sister of Mayor-President Kip Holden pleaded guilty Thursday in an ongoing federal probe of bribery in the local criminal justice system.

Note that this is a federal probe, and that (at least) two Baton Rouge police officers have pleaded guilty.

March 14, 2010:

Baton Rouge police officers routinely harassed black people, resorted to unnecessary violence and conducted illegal searches in the days after Hurricane Katrina, out-of-state troopers claimed in reports recently released by the Police Department.

Note this is reports issued by out-of-state troopers.

March 25, 2010:

The Metro Council voted Wednesday to pay $300,000 to settle a federal civil rights suit filed by a Baton Rouge man seriously injured by police in a 2006 arrest.

Note this is again external pressure, a federal civil rights suit.

March 26, 2010:

The U.S. Justice Department confirmed today it is investigating complaints New Mexico State Police made about the Baton Rouge Police Department after Hurricane Katrina.

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating. You will recall that the BRPD's internal investigation is complete, and the case is considered closed, after a couple written reprimands and one officer's three-day suspension.

I'm glad there is outside pressure to clean up the BRPD. But this is not the way it should work. This should be dealt with locally, with the BRPD investigating its own officers. Failing that, local politics should deal with it, and officers should be fired after pressure from the city government.

I hope the next time I read about police misconduct in Baton Rouge, I hear about the officer being immediately let go and charged with crimes. I hope the police chain of command condemns the actions instead of defending them, and local politicians do likewise. Until then, I will continue to call for the resignation of Police Chief Jeff LeDuff.