TL/DR –
A deputy police chief and three other officers in Louisiana have been criminally charged for allegedly striking and tasing a suspect during an arrest in 2020 and then covering it up. The officers were members of the now-disbanded street crimes unit, which is under investigation for its involvement in a “torture warehouse” known as the Brave Cave. Meanwhile, Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul, who has recently faced calls to resign, announced earlier this summer that he would step down on November 3rd.
Deputy Police Chief and Officers Face Charges
Baton Rouge Deputy Police Chief Troy Lawrence Sr., Sgt. Jesse Barcelona, and Cpls. Todd Thomas and Douglas Chutz are facing criminal charges for allegedly assaulting and tasing a suspect during an arrest in 2020, and then trying to cover it up, according to Police Chief Murphy Paul.
Connection to Disbanded Unit
These charges coincide with ongoing investigations and lawsuits related to the now-disbanded street crimes unit’s alleged involvement in a “torture warehouse” known as the Brave Cave. However, Chief Paul clarified that the recent charges are not related to the Brave Cave.
Consequences and Investigations
The controversial Brave Cave, officially known as the Narcotics Processing Facility, has been permanently closed and the officers of the street crimes unit reassigned. Multiple investigations into the police department’s practices and the facility are underway, including by the FBI and Baton Rouge police.
The 2020 Incident
The incident in question started when a suspect was strip-searched at a precinct and got tased and hit by an officer. The tasing activated the officers’ body cameras, and the footage was shown to their supervisor. The group then allegedly devised a plan to get rid of the video and cover up the event.
Reactions and Responses
The Baton Rouge Police Union expressed its disappointment over disciplinary action against its high-ranking officers. A union spokesman noted that the alleged incident that led to the deputy chief’s discipline occurred more than three years ago and that information about it was scant.
City Council Confrontation
The recent events led to heated debates in a city council meeting, with council members calling for Chief Paul’s resignation and Paul accusing them of lacking support for his department. Paul remains chief until November, as he previously announced his resignation this summer.
Ongoing Investigation into Brave Cave
As for the Brave Cave, the investigation continues. A recent lawsuit alleges that Ternell Brown, a Baton Rouge grandmother, was forced to undergo a humiliating search at the Brave Cave after an unjustified arrest based on her possession of prescription pills. She was released without charges after more than two hours.
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