The Louisiana Legislature is set to convene on March 12, 2012. One piece of legislation of particular interest is HB 685, authored by Representative Helena Moreno, which is an attack on the Louisiana Police Officer’s Bill of Rights.

HB 685 would change the provisions of the Police Officer’s Bill of Rights.  In particular, the legislation would change paragraph b(7) which governs the time limits for administrative investigations only for the New Orleans Police Department.

Currently, La. R.S. 40:2531(b)(7) requires that administrative investigations be completed within 60 days.  The appointing authority can request an additional 60 days, for a total of 120 days to complete an administrative investigation.  These time limits do not effect criminal investigations.

The proposed law would change the 60 days allowed to complete the investigation to 120 days and still give the department the option to request an additional 60 days for a total of 180 days.  Again, this legislation specifically states that the change would only be applicable to the New Orleans Police Department.

Those people in other parts of Louisiana should not get too comfortable.  If history tells us anything, this legislation will be implemented state-wide next year if it is passed for New Orleans this year.

STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!

I urge all of you to contact your elected officials and tell them that you oppose HB 685.

If you don’t know who your elected officials are, click here.

For information on members of the Louisiana House of Representatives, click here.

For information on members of the Louisiana Senate, click here.

I would like to encourage everyone to contact Representative Moreno and let her know that you are opposed to this legislation in addition to contacting your elected officials.  You can click here for Representative Moreno’s information.  Please remember that Representative Moreno came to the Fraternal Order of Police during the election looking for support from our members and pledging to assist us in Baton Rouge.