FBI confirms investigations into post-Katrina violence widening
By A.C. Thompson, ProPublica
If you've been following our Law & Disorder series, there are a couple of fresh developments.
Our partners at the Times-Picayune have some new information about the expanding federal probe
of the New Orleans Police Department, confirming that the FBI is
investigating two more shootings described in stories we published in
December.
Also, the city's inspector general publicly accused
(PDF) Police Superintendent Warren Riley of illegally obstructing
attempts to scrutinize police misconduct and disciplinary files.
"As you know, the relationship between the New Orleans Police
Department (NOPD) and the citizens of New Orleans has been poor," wrote
Inspector General E.R. Quatrevaux in a letter sent this week to
outgoing Mayor C. Ray Nagin and posted on his office's Web site.
Quatrevaux is in the process of establishing an independent monitoring
body to oversee the NOPD. In the letter, he faults Riley for barring
his staffers from reviewing records on police misconduct, discipline
and shooting incidents. The Times-Picayune has more on the controversy.
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re: FBI confirms investigations into post-Katrina violence widen
As a former Probation Officer I can attest that in far too many law enforcement agencies there's a code of "loyalty". If you narc out another officer you will probably pay for it. It may be a simple slashing of your car tires, or worse, someone not backing you up in a dangerous situation. Until this culture of protecting the guilty, just as it was in the Catholic Church is dismantled we will continue to see these situations arise.
I observed my first NOPD brutality as tourist in the Quarter in 1986. I complained but there was no investigation.
On a related note, I wish the media would concentrate more on correcting the mistakes it made in its reporting after Katrina. While we believed the rumors inside, the murders and rapes in the Superdome were not supported by evidence. We all were controlled by fear and rumor.
Paul Harris
Author, "Diary From the Dome, Reflections on Fear and Privilege During Katrina"
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