Baton Rouge Police Department
The Baton Rouge Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Chief of Police, as of March 8, 2018, was Murphy Paul.
The Baton Rouge Police Department has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies since 1996.
History
Baton Rouge was incorporated in 1817 and the Baton Rouge Police Department was formally established in 1865, just after the end of the Civil War, with the appointment of the first Chief of Police.Currently the Baton Rouge Police Department receives about 215,000 service calls. In an average year, city police officers:
- Respond to and write reports on 135,000 non-traffic calls
- Respond to 30,000 false alarms
- Investigate 21,000 serious crimes
- Investigate 17,000 traffic crashes
- Make 8,000 arrests
- Submit 22,000 pieces of evidence or property
- Seize 900 firearms
- Present 200 crime prevention and education seminars
- Destroy 2,500 pounds of seized illegal narcotics
- License 12,000 bicycles
- Drive
Bureaus and command staff
The BRPD is divided into four bureaus:- Uniform Patrol Bureau - Captain Kevin Newman
- Criminal Investigations Bureau - Michael Manning
- Administration Bureau - Deputy Chief Herbert Anny
- Operational Services Bureau - Major Ernie Brewer
Uniform Patrol Bureau
Uniform Patrol Division
Uniform Patrol Division is responsible for patrolling all areas of the city, responding to calls from citizens, conducting preliminary investigations of all crimes, and enforcing both criminal and traffic laws. The Uniform Patrol Division is divided into four geographical patrol sections or districts.First District Precinct
The First District Precinct is located at 4545 Plank Road and serves what is traditionally known as North Baton Rouge. The area patrolled is roughly bordered on the north and east by Evangeline and Airline Highway, on the west by the Mississippi River and Scenic Highway and on the south by Florida Boulevard.Second District Precinct
The Second District Precinct is located at 2265 Highland Road and serves what is traditionally known as South Baton Rouge. The area patrolled is roughly bordered on the north by Florida Boulevard, on the west by the Mississippi River, on the south by Bayou Fountain, and on the east by Bluebonnet Highway, Essen Lane, Jefferson Highway, and Lobdell Avenue.Third District Precinct
The Third District is located at 9000 Airline Highway, and serves the eastern part of the city. The area patrolled is roughly bordered on the north by Greenwell Springs Road and the South Choctaw Drive Extension, on the west by Airline Highway and Lobdell Avenue, on the east by North Stevendale Road, Lively Bayou, O'Neal Lane, Jones Creek Road, and Stumberg Lane, and on the south by Airline Highway and Jefferson Highway.Fourth District Precinct
The Fourth District Precinct is located at 8227 Scenic Highway and serves the extreme northern part of the city, including the area traditionally known as Scotlandville. The area patrolled is roughly bordered on the north by Blount Road and Thomas Road, on the west by the Mississippi River, on the east by Buttonwood Drive, McClelland Drive, and Plank Road, and on the south by Evangeline and Airline Highway.Traffic Division
The Traffic Division is responsible for parking control, radar speed enforcement, motorcycle escort duty, and assisting the uniform patrol division in selective traffic enforcement and accident investigation, as required, as well as special assignments at the discretion of the Chief of Police. The traffic division carries out its mission with the following sections:Motorcycle Section
The Motorcycle Section concentrates on traffic enforcement and accident investigation, as well as escorts and other specialized assignments at the discretion of the Chief of Police.Radar Units
Radar Units are responsible for enforcement of speeding laws, serve as accident investigators during inclement weather and are periodically assigned to special events.DWI Task Force
The DWI Task Force patrols after dark, enforcing laws relating to impaired drivers under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.Bicycle Patrols
Bicycle Patrols are utilized for concentrated, more personalized protection of contained areas, such as malls, shopping centers, or areas of high-density pedestrian traffic. Bicycle Patrol officers are also assigned to the Downtown Development District to enforce parking ordinances, contact business owners and residents to check for problems and devise solutions to those problems.Traffic Homicide Unit
The Traffic Homicide Unit investigates all traffic crashes involving death or life-threatening injuries and fleet crashes as directed by the Chief of Police.;School Crossing Guards: School Crossing Guards are civilians used to supplement police protection of children walking to and from schools during the regular school year.
;Reserve Officers: Reserve Officers are civilians who undergo necessary training to become police officers and who donate their time as police officers to supplement existing manpower, especially during special events.
Hit and Run Division
The Hit and Run Division is responsible for the follow-up investigation of hit and run and incomplete accidents as reported by field officers.Support Services Units
The Support Services Units perform functions that supplement the uniform patrol division.Housing Authority Unit
The Housing Authority Unit coordinates all security at public housing complexes, working closely with management and residents to enforce laws, resolve problems and provide a safe environment.;Building Security: Building Security coordinates protection for the East Baton Rouge Parish Governmental Building and its employees.
;Misdemeanor Investigation Office: The Misdemeanor Investigation Office is responsible for conducting follow-up investigations of misdemeanor crimes.
K-9 Unit
The K-9 Unit is used for building searches, crowd control, tracking fleeing suspects, or searches for missing persons, or any other missions which could more effectively or more safely be carried out by trained Police dogs than by police officers.In 2007, the American Kennel Club awarded the K-9 Division with its 2007 Law Enforcement Award for Canine Excellence due to the units work in the year following Hurricane Katrina.
;Crime Analysis Section: The Crime Analysis Section collects data generated by uniform officers and reports to the bureau commander with respect to manpower allocation and directed patrol initiatives.
Criminal Investigations Bureau
Criminal Investigations offers some limited first-line response to the public, but is primarily responsible for follow-up investigations of major crimes. Divisions within the Criminal Investigations Bureau include:Crimes Against Persons
Crimes Against Persons include the following divisions:;Homicide Division: is responsible for investigating all criminal calls where a death or life-threatening injury has occurred, any officer involved shooting or the attempted murder of a police officer.
;Armed Robbery Division: is responsible for investigating all criminal calls involving all degrees of robbery.
;Juvenile and Sex Crimes Division: is responsible for maintaining juvenile investigation records, cases of child abuse, and all types of sex crimes.
;Major Assaults Division: is responsible for investigating a wide range of non-life-threatening felony personal crimes and missing person cases.
;Computer Crimes Division: investigates crimes committed against persons or computer systems using the Internet, e-mail or other electronic means.
Property Crimes
Property Crimes includes the following divisions:;Burglary Division: is responsible for coordinating all follow-up investigations of burglaries, as well as the recovery of stolen property from local pawn shops.
;Auto Theft/Impound Division: is responsible for conducting follow-up investigations of auto thefts and unauthorized use of movables. The unit also coordinates all records and information relating to vehicles stored and impounded by the Department and monitoring local towing services to insure compliance with applicable standards and ordinances.
Investigative Support
Investigative Support includes the following divisions:;Evidence Division: is responsible for the collection, storage, cataloguing, and disposition of all evidence and property seized by, or turned in to, the department.
;Crime Scene Division: is responsible for assisting in investigations by taking photographs, sketching major crime scenes, collecting and tagging evidence, and performing various scientific tests on suspects and/or evidence as needed.
;Crime Stoppers Office: coordinates all facets of the Crime Stoppers program with local news media, businesses, and the public.
Administration Bureau
Administration is the Chief's staff bureau, concerned with the overall management of the department's operations and internal controls. Most offices are housed downtown at Police Headquarters located at 9000 Airline Highway. Divisions and Positions within Administration:;Legal Advisor: acts as an advisor to the Chief of Police and his staff on department matters, to ensure conformity with existing laws and court decisions.
;Office of Media Relations: acts as a liaison between the department and members of the working news media.
;Fleet Management Division: is responsible for all aspects of assigning and maintaining the fleet of vehicles owned and operated by the department.
;Internal Affairs Division: conducts investigations and maintains records on all complaints of wrongdoing lodged against members.
;Accounting and Personnel Office: handles all accounts receivable and payable and prepares the department's annual budget, as well as all personnel records and actions.
;Operational Management: is responsible for providing a wide range of services to the Chief of Police and the department, such as coordinating all research; writing, reviewing and distributing policies and procedures; securing state and federal grant funds; coordinating travel of officers on department business; conducting research on products and equipment; exchanging information with other police agencies regarding operations; inventory control and supply; and accreditation.
;Staff Inspections Office: is responsible for conducting daily inspections of all divisions of the department.
;Health and Safety: analyzes conditions that may affect an officer's performance or result in loss of work time.
;Community Resources: is responsible for establishing liaison with formal community organizations and other community groups.
;D.A.R.E: places police officers in elementary school classrooms to act as anti-drug abuse instructors.
;Extra Duty Office: coordinates and tracks all off-duty employment of police officers.
;Intelligence Division: gathers information on both real and potential threats to the public peace and assimilates and reports such information to the Chief of Police.
;Explosives and Hazardous Materials UNIT: is responsible for on-scene and follow-up investigations of hazardous materials spills or fires, explosions, or crimes involving incendiary devices of all types.
Special Response Team, (SRT)
consists of a full-time unit and part-time unit which is composed of officers who are on-call. Their mission is to respond to emergency operations, such as hostage situations, and to provide dignitary and VIP protection. Members of the team competed in the 2008 World SWAT Challenge and finished 5th overall, while also capturing the “Rookie Team Championship” title.Operational Services Bureau
Operational Services is the most diverse bureau of the department, providing numerous and varied support functions, including serving as the repository for all criminal and traffic records. Divisions within this Bureau:;Alarm Enforcement Section: is responsible for licensing, regulating, maintaining statistics, and collecting fees from alarm users in the city and parish.
;Licensing Section: is responsible for issuing licenses and maintaining records on all persons and businesses licensed by the Chief of Police.
;Subpoena Services and Court Liaison Section: is responsible for serving subpoenas and other court documents to department personnel, and for maintaining liaisons with area courts.
;Bicycle Registration Division: is responsible for registering and licensing all bicycles sold and ridden in the city, as well as enforcing applicable bicycle traffic ordinances. This division is also responsible for storage and disposition of all abandoned, recovered and seized bicycles.
;Training Services Unit: is responsible for the recruitment and training of all prospective and newly hired officers, and the in-service training and re-certification of existing personnel in all aspects of law enforcement as well as the maintenance of records relating to such training. The firearms training section is responsible for all training of potential, newly hired, and existing personnel in the area of firearms safety and proficiency. The recruiting section is responsible for interviewing prospective employees, conducting all necessary background checks and tests, and providing lists of qualified and recommended candidates for employment as officers.
;Criminal Records Section: maintains a centralized record system of all criminal offense reports prepared by officers of the department, arrest reports, fingerprint cards, and all necessary files and systems for criminal information storage, retrieval, archiving, and disposition.
;Traffic Records Section: is responsible for the maintenance of a central traffic records system, providing report production, a public counter service facility, and a system for traffic information storage, retrieval and disposition.
;Latent Print Section: operates as an identification unit, analyzing, comparing, cataloguing and classifying submitted fingerprints.
;Crime Information Unit: is responsible for operating the National Crime Information Center computer and teletype system, receiving and distributing advisories from other agencies, and inputting information originating with this department, for dissemination to other interested agencies.
;Crime Statistics and Research Unit: manages the FBI uniform crime reports and provides statistically oriented data to other divisions and outside agencies.
;Communications Division: is responsible for proper routing of all telephone calls to the department. This division receives and processes all requests for police services. Communications personnel also dispatch, via radio, the appropriate police units to investigate and assist as needed.
;Technological Support Unit: is responsible for operating, maintaining, and updating all computer systems used by the department.
Rank structure
The Chief of Police is appointed by, and reports to, the Mayor. The Chief is assisted by a Deputy Chief; who is a Colonel. This post has replaced Chief of Staff. All other police positions are promotional and based on seniority, as mandated by state civil service law.Fallen officers
Since 1911, the Baton Rouge Police Department has lost 21 Officers and 1 K9 who died while on duty.| Rank | Name | Date of Death | Cause of Death | Age | Location |
| Chief of Police | Joshua Baker Hare | 11-15-1911 | Shot and killed by an angry fellow Officer who had been suspended for showing up to work while drunk | 66 | Corner of Spain St. and St. Philip St., Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Officer | Joseph Mareno | 09-18-1923 | Shot and killed while he and another Officer were searching for a murder suspect in a rail yard | 45 | In the area of Francis Street and Railroad Avenue in Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Chief of Detectives | Frank E. Schoonmaker | 10-24-1931 | Shot and killed while searching for 2 men who robbed a man of $11 and a pair of shoes | 38 | N/A |
| Lieutenant | George W. Bannister | 03-03-1966 | Shot and killed while asking a driver for their license after arriving at the scene of the crash | 41 | Intersection of North 26th Street and Gayosa Street in Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Sergeant | Joseph Sanchez | 06-06-1966 | Succumbed to injuries sustained 2 months earlier after being shot while searching for a robbery suspect; the wound caused a blood clot which moved to his heart | 47 | N/A |
| Officer | J.D. Blackwell | 02-04-1968 | Struck and killed by a drunk driver while on his motorcycle during a funeral procession | 32 | N/A |
| Officer | Thomas Ray "Sonny" Fancher | 09-10-1968 | Killed in a motorcycle crash after losing control while escorting 3 heavy trucks | 28 | Intersection of Essen Street and Perkins Street in Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Officer | Dennis R. Heap | 06-01-1972 | Killed while on his motorcycle while en route to a funeral procession | 25 | Intersection of Florida Boulevard and Cloud Street in Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Officer | Karl F. Bourgoyne | 07-14-1977 | Killed in a motorcycle crash while trying to pass a tractor trailer in order to catch a speeder | 25 | N/A |
| Police Officer | Linda A. Lawrence | 08-01-1977 | Shot and killed in a home after arriving on scene to a robbery in progress | 30 | N/A |
| Lieutenant | Carl Robert Dabadie Sr. | 04-06-1984 | Killed in a motorcycle crash | 48 | Lobdell Ave., Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Officer | Charles David Stegall | 06-14-1988 | Killed after being struck in the side of his patrol car by a drunk driver | 40 | On East Boulevard in Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Sergeant | Warren Joseph Broussard | 06-21-1988 | Shot and killed while questioning 2 suspects about a house burglary | 40 | N/A |
| Corporal | Betty Dunn Smothers | 01-07-1993 | Shot and killed in her police car while escorting a business owner who was making a bank deposit | 36 | N/A |
| Lieutenant | Vickie Salassi Wax | 05-22-2004 | Shot and killed with her own service pistol while attempting to arrest a shoplifter | 51 | N/A |
| Detective | Terry Lee Melancon, Jr. | 08-10-2005 | Shot and killed while serving a search warrant | 31 | N/A |
| Corporal | Christopher Michael Metternich | 08-14-2006 | Killed while on his motorcycle by a drunk driver | 31 | Intersection of Sherwood Forest Boulevard and Newcastle Avenue in Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Police Officer | Mark A. Beck | 02-25-2008 | Killed after rear-ending a tractor trailer at a railroad crossing | 33 | On U.S. Highway 61 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| K9 | Philos | 10-16-2009 | Killed after the car Philos was in was struck by a drunk driver | 8 | Intersection of Government Street and St. Charles Street in Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Police Officer | Matthew Lane Gerald | 07-17-2016 | Shot and killed in an ambush along with Corporal Montrell Lyle Jackson and East Baton Rouge Parish Deputy Bradford Allen Garafola, Sr. after all 3 of them responded to reports of man with a rifle walking along the sidewalk | 41 | 9611 Highway Airline, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70815 |
| Corporal | Montrell Lyle Jackson | 07-17-2016 | Shot and killed in an ambush along with Police Officer Matthew Lane Gerald and East Baton Rouge Parish Deputy Bradford Allen Garafola, Sr. after all of 3 of them responded to reports of a man with a rifle walking along the sidewalk | 32 | 9611 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70815 |
| Corporal | Shane Totty | 02-01-2019 | Killed in a motorcycle crash while escorting a funeral procession. | 31 | Jones Creek Rd., Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Lieutenant | Glenn Hutto Jr. | 04-26-2020 | Shot and killed by a suspect in a murder from earlier in the day. The suspect ambushed Lt. Hutto and Cpl. Derrick Maglone in a backyard; Hutto was fatally wounded and Maglone was seriously injured. | 45 | Conrad Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
Former chiefs
| Name | Dates in Office |
| Joseph Sanchez | 1865 - 12 Feb 1866 |
| Eri Morley Brooks, Sr. | 12 Feb 1866 - 1874 |
| Oscar Heady Foreman | 1874 - 1876 |
| Robert Wiseman | 1876 - 1878 |
| Thomas Benton Hillen | 1878 - 1888 |
| Joshua B. Hare | 1888 - 1911 |
| Phillip Patrick Huyck | 1911 - 1914 |
| King H. Strenzke | 1914 - 1939 |
| Joseph W. Bates | 1939 |
| Wilbur D. Atkins | 1939 - 1941 |
| Perry M. Johnson | 1941 - 1944 |
| Fred C. Parker, Jr. | 1944 - 1953 |
| Joseph H. Green | 1953 - 1954 |
| Shirley S. Arrighi | 1954 - 1961 |
| Arthur A. Altazin | 1961 |
| Wingate Moore White | 1961 - 1964 |
| Eddie O. Bauer, Jr. | 1964 |
| David Keyser | 1965 - 15 Feb 1968 |
| Eddie O. Bauer, Jr. | 15 Feb 1968 - 1973 |
| Rudolph Ratcliff | 1973 - 29 Apr 1974 |
| Howard Kidder | 29 Apr 1974 - 3 Feb 1975 |
| Williard R. Ashford, Jr. | 3 Feb 1975 - 1975 |
| Howard Kidder | 1975 - 1979 |
| George L. "Johnny" Johnston | 1979 - 1981 |
| Pat Bonanno | 1981 - 1985 |
| Wayne Rogillio | 1985 - 1992 |
| Greg Phares | 1992 - 2001 |
| Pat Englade | Jan 2001 - 2004 |
| Jeff LeDuff | 2004 - Nov 2010 |
| Charles Mondrick | Nov 2010 - May 2011 |
| Dewayne White | May 2011 - 6 Feb 2013 |
| Carl Dabadie | 6 Feb 2013 - 8 Mar 2018 |
| Murphy J. Paul, Jr. | 8 Mar 2018–present |