Baton Rouge Police Officials Apprehended in Probe Over Alleged 'Torture Warehouse'
Three Senior Police Officers, Including Deputy Chief, Facing Felony Charges
Three officials from Baton Rouge Police Department - Deputy Chief Troy Lawrence Sr., Sgt. Jesse Barcelona, and Corporal Todd Thomas - have been arrested on felony charges. The arrests are part of ongoing criminal investigations and lawsuits connected to rumors about an alleged police 'torture warehouse'. Lawrence Sr. and Thomas have also been accused of simple battery.
According to the official jail records, the charges include malfeasance in office, obstruction of justice, and theft. The three officials have been put on administrative leave, as reported by The Advocate, a local news outlet.
Offenses Linked to a 2020 Event, Allegedly Captured on Body Camera
Police Chief Murphy Paul disclosed on Friday that another officer is wanted by the authorities for malfeasance in office. The accusations spawned from an event in September 2020, allegedly captured on an officer's body worn camera. Reportedly, Baton Rouge officers are said to have strip-searched, abused, and tasered a man in custody in a precinct bathroom. Evidence suggests that internal policies were violated and excessive force was utilized. Allegedly, an attempt was made to cover up the incident by disposing of the body camera.
Police Chief Paul emphasized, "There is no room for misconduct or unethical behavior in our department. No one is above the law, and that includes members of our own department."
Rising Scrutiny Over 'Brave Cave' Allegations
The Baton Rouge Police Department currently also faces a federal investigation and numerous lawsuits for other alleged misconduct cases. Lawrence Sr.'s son, ex-officer Troy Lawrence Jr., resigned and was arrested under battery charges after numerous civil rights lawsuits and excessive force complaints.
These accusations have been particularly notable in relation to the department's street crime unit, once commanded by Lawrence Sr., which was referred to as BRAVE, an acronym for Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination. Several lawsuits allege that Lawrence Jr. and other Baton Rouge police officers perpetrated acts of violence in a notorious location known as the 'Brave Cave'.
Accusations of Constitutional Violations and 'Structural Rot' in the Police Department
The department has been accused of following an "unconstitutional strip search policy," by Thomas Frampton, an attorney representing some of the complainants. According to him, making arrests and processing minor offenders is not addressing the 'structural rot' present within the department. The true need, Frampton suggests, is for a "real, meaningful change".
"They've been harmed and they deserve to be made whole monetarily," Frampton added. "But each of the people that we represent believes strongly that justice looks like something more than dollars. It means accountability for the officers who harmed them, and it means ensuring that this doesn't happen to citizens of Baton Rouge in the future."
Future Steps for the Baton Rouge Police Department
The 'Brave Cave' has been permanently closed, and the street crimes unit has disbanded. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been called into the probe, as announced by Baton Rouge Mayor-President, Sharon Weston Broome.
"Transparency and accountability will always be a cornerstone of this administration. Make no mistake about it", Broome emphasized extremely.
An official response from Baton Rouge Police Department regarding the allegations is still anticipated.
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