As part of the Ville Platte Police Department’s ongoing efforts to keep the community informed, Chief Neal Lartigue released the following information.
In 2016 the Department of Justice reported findings in reference to the Ville Platte Police Department’s practice of engaging in conducting arrests without probable cause for the purpose of investigating crimes, termed “investigative holds.” Furthermore, the Department of Justice determined systematic deficiencies contributed to this pattern or practice, including deficiencies in the Ville Platte Police Department’s policies, training, interrogation practices, community policing practices, supervision, data collection and transparency.
As a result of this report, the VPPD began putting a plan into place to address the findings in the Department of Justice’s report as well as improving operations of the Ville Platte Police Department and improving community relations.
Plan of Action:
• Hired public relations officer/training coordinator tasked with:
1. Improve relations between VPPD and citizens
2. Acting liaison between detectives and victims
3. Assure all officers receive mandatory and specialized training.
• Develop standard operating procedure for the Ville Platte Police Department.
• Fourth Amendment activity.
1. Policy created prohibiting the practice of investigative holds.
2. Require arresting officers to have probable cause and based on reliable facts.
3. Require arresting officers to have a valid arrest warrant signed by a judge.
4. The VPPD will not book into jail a person without a completed affidavit of probable cause.
5. Persons arrested will be allowed to use the phone.
6. The VPPD will not allow the practice of investigatory stops with some exceptions.
7. The VPPD supervisors will review all officers’ documentation
8. The VPPD will also review the quality of supervisor reviews to ensure the quality of the reviews.
• Criminal Investigations
1. Prior to booking, the jailer will ensure the file contains a valid arrest warrant or an affidavit of probable cause.
2. Jail will follow standardized practices for any strip search or body cavity search.
3. The jail will maintain a case file with a unique identifying number
4. A jail roster will be in use.
• Policies
1. The VPPD will provide the updated policies for DOJ review.
2. The VPPD will maintain a hard-copy and electronic copy of policies for employees.
3. The VPPD will make public policies once approved by DOJ.
• Training
1. Field training officer program will be completed by all new employees hired for patrol.
a. All annual POST required training
b. Required eight hours of annual Policies and Procedure training focusing on the Fourth amendment and prohibition of investigative holds.
• Accountability and Oversight
1. Policies are being put in place to investigate all allegations of misconduct.
2. Where misconduct is sustained,
a. Discipline will be fairly and consistently imposed on the Officer involved.
b. Complaint is provided information as appropriate
3. Body worn cameras
a. A body worn camera will be utilized consistent with best practices.
• Date collection
1. The VPPD will develop systems to collect and maintain all data necessary to monitor the progress of the Community Policing Plan.
2. Data will be shared with the DOJ and the community.