Blood of Heroes 

RIGHTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
WHILE UNDER INVESTIGATION

R.S.40:2531 Applicability; minimum standards during investigation; penalties for failure to comply

A. The provisions of this Chapter shall only apply to those law enforcement officers employed by any municipality and campus police employed at any state-supported college or university who are under investigation with a view to possible disciplinary action, demotion, or dismissal.

B. Whenever a law enforcement officer is under investigation, the following minimum standards shall apply:

(1)
The law enforcement officer being investigated shall be informed, at the commencement of interrogation, of the nature of the investigation and the identity and authority of the person conducting such investigation, and at the commencement of any interrogation, such officer shall be informed as to the identity of all persons present during such interrogation. The law enforcement officer shall be allowed to make notes.

(2)
Any interrogation of a law enforcement officer in connection with an investigation shall be for a reasonable period of time, and shall allow for reasonable periods for the rest and personal necessities of such law enforcement officer.

(3)
All interrogations of any law enforcement officers in connection with the investigation shall be recorded in full. The law enforcement officer shall not be prohibited from obtaining a copy of the recording or transcript of the recording of his statements upon his written request.

(4)
A. The law enforcement officer being questioned, whether as a target or a witness in an administrative investigation, shall have the right to be represented by counsel, other representative, or both, of the law enforcement officer’s choice.

B. The law enforcement officer shall be granted up to thirty days to secure such representation, during which time all questioning shall be suspended.

C. The law enforcement officer’s representative or counsel shall be allowed to offer advice to the officer and make statements on the record regarding any question asked of the officer at any interrogation, interview, or hearing in the course of the investigation.

(5)
No statement made by the officer during the course of an administrative investigation shall be admissible in a criminal proceeding.

(6)
When a formal and written complaint is made against any law enforcement officer, the chief of police or his authorized representative shall initiate an investigation within fourteen days of the date the complaint is made. Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph, each investigation of a law enforcement officer which is conducted under the provisions of this Chapter shall be completed within sixty days. However, in each municipality which is subject to a Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service law, the municipal police department may petition the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board for an extension of the time within which to complete the investigation. The board shall set the matter for hearing and shall provide notice of the hearing to the officer who is under investigation. The officer who is under investigation shall have the right to attend the hearing and to present evidence and arguments against the extension. If the board finds that the municipal police department has shown good cause for the granting of an extension of time within which to complete the investigation, the board shall grant an extension of up to sixty days. Nothing contained in this Paragraph shall be constructed to prohibit the law enforcement officer under investigation and the appointing authority from entering into a written agreement extending the investigation for up to an additional sixty days. The investigation shall be considered complete upon notice to the law enforcement officer under investigation of a pre-disciplinary hearing or a determination of an unfounded or unsustained complaint. Further, nothing in this Paragraph shall limit any investigation of alleged criminal activity.

(C) There shall be no discipline, demotion, dismissal or adverse action of any sort taken against a law enforcement officer unless the investigation is conducted in accordance with the minimum standards provided for in this Section. Any discipline, demotion, dismissal or adverse action of any sort whatsoever taken against a law enforcement officer without complete compliance with the foregoing minimum standards is an absolute nullity.

AMENDED and signed into law August 15, 2008
CODING: words bold / italic are additions

Hurricanes

Message from Chief Jerry Agnew

WELCOME 

On behalf of the men and women of the Bogalusa Police Department, I am pleased to welcome you to our internet web site.  

Our department strives to deliver the highest possible level of service to the Bogalusa community, we are committed to making our community the greatest place to live, work and retire. 

Our site has been developed to provide you with timely information on the Department and its many programs. I hope that you will find the information presented here a benefit to you. 

The challenge of today's leaders is not to leave policing in America in the same condition we inherited it, but to improve it by exercising leadership that makes a difference. 

All BPD employees are proud that they have contributed to improving the quality of life through their dedication and service to our great city. 

THANK YOU We invite any comments or suggestions you may have. Please feel free to contact us if there is any way we can enhance our service to you.

Sincerely,

Jerry W. Agnew, Sr.

Chief of Police                                                 

985-732-3611 

Fraternal Order of Police Meets the 1st & 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm at the Western Sizzlin Steakhouse 1529 S. Columbia St. 735-9533

911 Use and Abuse 

BPD POLICE RESPONSE TO 911 CALLS

What happens when you call 911?

• Our 911 Call Taker enters the information you give into a computer.
   
• Our dispatchers assign a priority to the call based on the type of call (burglary, shooting, etc.). Additional information you give can affect the priority.
   
• Our Dispatcher radios the information to a Police Officer in the field.
   
• Additional information from you is sent to officers either by radio or computer. Details are vital, so remain calm and speak clearly.

 

Why prioritize calls?

 

We answer hundreds of calls each day – everything from found property to attempted murder. Obviously, we must respond more quickly when a life is in danger than when only property is threatened. We have limited resources and must work numerous calls simultaneously; prioritization helps us effectively and efficiently use those resources. We make every effort to provide the highest level of police service at every call.

 

How are common calls prioritized?

 

The factors below are not rigid categories but guidelines used when determining the priority of 911 calls. Some of the most common calls are listed as examples. 

Classification	Factors	Dispatch Method	Examples
EMERGENCY Immediate, emergency police response  (lights and sirens)	◊ Immediate threat to life. ◊ Violent criminal act in  progress. ◊ Violent incident just occurred and there is a likelihood of suspect apprehension.	Units sent immediately	◊ Armed robbery ◊ Stabbing ◊ Sexual assault in progress ◊ Shooting
PRIORITY 1 Immediate police response	◊ Criminal offense just occurred ◊ Suspects are still in the area or just left the scene ◊ Potential violence or imminent danger ◊ Non-violent criminal offense in progress with suspects still on scene (example: someone vandalizing property, kids throwing rocks at cars) ◊ Citizen’s arrest with suspect resisting (ex: shoplifter in custody causing problems)	Units sent immediately, if available. If no units are available in that district, the dispatcher determines the closest available unit and sends that unit to the call.	◊ Domestic disturbance ◊ Physical altercation ◊ Accident with injuries ◊ Gunshots fired ◊ Report of sexual assault (suspect fled) ◊ Hold-up or panic alarm ◊ Robbery (suspects fled or no weapon used)
PRIORITY 2 Reasonable police field response	◊ No offense is in progress ◊A delay in police response is not likely to result in a criminal offense  ◊ A delay is not likely to result in further injury, loss of property, or adversely affect investigation ◊ No reason to believe suspect is on scene or in area ◊ Citizen’s arrest with suspect not resisting.	The goal is to send the district police officer so he/she is aware of crimes in his/her area. If the district a police officer is not available, dispatcher may hold the call for up to 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, dispatcher will send an officer from another district.	◊911 hang ups* ◊ Shoplifter in custody/not resisting ◊ Commercial or residential alarm  ◊ Runaway or missing person report ◊ Suspicious person
PRIORITY 3 AS AVAILABLE As-available basis by the Police officer	A delay is not likely to adversely affect investigation No change in physical evidence expected Suspect description unknown¨ Suspect not near Complainant is requesting contact	The goal is to send the district officer. Dispatcher may hold the call for up to one hour, but will dispatch an officer from another district if the local district officer is still unavailable after one hour.	Loud music** Barking dogs** Residential or commercial burglary report (suspect fled) ** Assault report** Other reports where suspect is not on scene**
PRIORITY 3 WHEN AVAILABLE Police Officer on a when- available basis	◊ No complainant is waiting ◊ Delayed investigation or report ◊ Follow-up incident	The goal is to send the district police officer. Dispatcher may hold the call for up to two hours, but will dispatch an officer from another district if the local district officer is still unavailable after two hours.	◊ Found or abandoned property** ◊ Lost property**

 

*About 911 hang-ups: Our policy is to respond to ALL 911 hang up calls. If you change your mind about needing assistance, stay on the line and explain that to the 911 Call Taker. Otherwise, an officer will be dispatched to your location to ensure that you are safe. Calling 911 when you do not need an officer puts those who need emergency assistance in danger and puts you in danger of being prosecuted for making a false report.

 

 ** Most of these reports can be taken over the telephone, however a few of these calls require an officer to respond to your location. If you change your mind about needing assistance call back and explain any changes to the dispatcher.

 

The Bogalusa Police Department is asking citizens to help stop the accidental calls by locking their cell phone keypads, turning off automatic 911 dialing features and avoiding programming 911 as a speed-dial number.

   

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 If You Do Not Have An Emergency You are Requested to call our Non-Emergency Line 732-3611

Here are some tips for calling 911. Reading these now may help you when an actual emergency occurs.  

• Remain Calm
• Be prepared to verify phone number and location
• Be brief - Answer all questions
• Do not hang up
• Be prepared to give descriptions and license numbers

Remember: Answering questions does NOT delay the dispatch of assistance. A dispatcher is sending help your way while the Call Taker takes additional information from you. The more pertinent information you give us, the safer everyone will be.

 

Call 911 when there is a life or death emergency that requires the immediate response of emergency service such as police, fire or paramedic. Always call 911 when there is a medical problem or something that requires the Bogalusa Fire Department to respond.

It is a misdemeanor under Bogalusa City Local Laws for any person to willfully use the 911 system for any purpose other than reporting an emergency. The Bogalusa Police Department does not want someone to be injured or killed as a result of emergency service response to a false call.

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 Our Mission 

The mission of the Bogalusa Police Department is to improve the quality of life of citizens, living, working, or visiting our city.

We believe as Law Enforcement officers, our fundamental duty is to serve mankind: to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional Rights of all persons to liberty, equality, and justice. We believe that it is our responsibility to protect the constitutional rights of all persons and that we are accountable to the community.

We believe that crime is not only a police problem but a social problem impacting all aspects of the community and we are committed to working with the community to address these issues.

We will keep our private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both our personal and official life. We will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of our department.

We recognize the badge of our office as a symbol of public faith, and we accept it as a public trust to be held so long as we are true to the ethics of law enforcement. We will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating ourselves before God to our chosen profession....law enforcement.

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Important Phone Numbers of the Bogalusa Police Department
Police - Fire - Medical - Emergency	911 Emergency Only
Police Non-Emergency	985-732-3611
Fax Line - Headquarters	985-732-6242
Shift Commander	985-732-6237
Fax Line - Records Division	985-732-6253
Investigations	985-732-6239
Poison Control Center	800-256-9822
Louisiana State Police, L - Covington	985-893-6250
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Police	985-835­3116 - 985-626­4406
Mississippi Highway Patrol	601-864-1314
Sheriff’s Office - Washington Parish	985-839-3434
Fire Department	911 Emergency
Fire Department	985-732-6218 (Non Emergency)
Fire Chief	985-732-6217
Mayor’s Office	985-732-6200
Airport	985-732-4521
Bogalusa City Jail	985-732-6296
Washington Parish Jail	985-839-3434
Police Chief	985-732-6209
Records Division	985-732-6207
Assistant Police Chief	985-732-6252
Police Major	985-732-6246
Police Captain	985-732-6237
Fourth Ward Marshall’s Office	985-732-0018
Bogalusa City Court	985-732-6204
Drug Task Force	985-732-3611 or 985-839-3434

Chief Of Police Time-Line Bogalusa, Louisiana.
E.R. Cassidy	July 1914 to June 1915
O.C. Strattman	July 1915 to September 1915
T.A. Magee	September 1915 to December 1948
W.E. Boyd	January 1949 to February 1964
R.C. Knight	February 1964 to April 1967
H.J. Wascom	April 1967 to October 1967
Thomas J. Mixon	October 1967 to October 1971
Earl G. Penton	October 1971 to October 1983
A.J. McMillian	October 1983 to May 1987
Wayne Kemp	July 1987 to March 1995
Jerry W. Agnew Sr.	March 1995

Click Here
to visit the Louisiana State Police
Sex Offender and Child Predator
Registry Home Page
A searchable database of child sex offenders
and child predators in Louisiana

Please be warned that the City of Bogalusa strongly objects to the use of its Web Site facilities or the Internet for illegal and immoral activities and will vigorously prosecute those who knowingly and illegally abuse the site. The City of Bogalusa will cooperate with Federal, State, Parish and Local law-enforcement officials in the pursuit of criminal activities and those who perpetrate such activities.