Former Cop's Honesty Has Him Without a Stable Job
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BATON ROUGE - Planting drugs, coverups, quotas, a term called "snapping" - it is how the Baton Rouge drug squad handled itself, a former officer told WBRZ in a tell-all interview.
Jeremiah Ardoin did not shield his identity and said he wanted to expose the truth in an explosive conversation with WBRZ Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto. What he said in a TV interview has only been heard directly from a small group: The FBI, the Baton Rouge Police Chief, and Nakamoto. What he has told each person has resulted in an investigation of the Baton Rouge Police Department, officer transfers, a police officer's arrest, hundreds of drug charges being dismissed, and hundreds more pending.
Ardoin could be considered a whistleblower but has his issues as he grapples with shining light on a department; he said he no longer trusts those who he had confidence is protecting him and he is currently facing misdemeanor charges after being arrested for buying stolen merchandise on the street. Ardoin believes his arrest was a setup, a predetermined event his colleagues orchestrated when they got wind he wanted out of the wrongdoing he stated has been going on in the police department's drug unit.
After coming forward, my life has been traumatized. I am no longer able to care for my family, as I was before coming forward. I went months without work, and only recently have found temporary employment that still does not meet the financial needs of my family. I never thought I would need to solicit the help of others to take care of myself and family. After I came forward, I was targeted several times and had drugs planted in my patrol vehicle. I hated to leave Law Enforcement, but I was in fear for my life and freedom. I could no longer stand by and watch innocent people go to jail.
Among his concerns, a quota system that targeted minorities.
"At least three to four nights a week, they would have us riding through the neighborhoods," Ardoin said. "If you saw a random black person walking around the street and hasn't done anything, they would tell us to jump out the vehicle, grab them and pat them down without probable cause. I voiced my opinions several times, and I disagreed with that."
It had gotten to the point I had had enough and was planning a transfer out of the narcotics unit. Then, in December 2020, he was arrested. After being charged, he started cooperating with department investigators probing allegations of wrongdoing. His cooperation led to the arrest of his colleague, Jason Acree, another BRPD narcotics officer charged with malfeasance for stealing drugs.
Baton Rouge Police released a statement Wednesday from Police Chief Murphy Paul:
"While we would like to address some of the assertions being reported by Mr. Ardoin, the Department is in the midst of active criminal and administrative investigations related to his reports. Thus, we cannot discuss any specific points being made by Mr. Ardoin."
"What I can do, however, is assure the community that we have and will continue to take the appropriate actions, as these investigations progress. As we strive to strengthen trust in our community, the Baton Rouge Police Department is committed to transparency, accountability, and integrity. I look forward to providing our community with a full report once these investigations are concluded."
CONCERNS RAISED
Jeremiah Ardoin first began sounding the alarm about concerns in the narcotics division in the fall of 2020. He said that conversation was with BRPD administration about the type of drug cases they were doing and how he was unhappy with them. He did not give specifics at the time but did express concerns about squad operations.
Ardoin said not long after the August meeting, he requested a transfer. Before he could be moved, Ardoin said his supervisors caught wind that he had complained to BRPD administration. That's when he said he was approached by a woman who sold him two cameras and a television.
UNWRITTEN POLICY ABOUT QUOTAS
Ardoin said during his four-year stint in the narcotics division, officers were required to make one drug arrest per shift. Ardoin recalled that mandate was verbal and would not be found written in any policy.
"At least three to four nights a week they would have us riding through the neighborhoods," Ardoin said. "If you saw a random black person walking around the street and hasn't done anything, they would tell us just to jump out the vehicle, grab them and pat them down without probable cause. I voiced my opinions several times, and I didn't agree with that."
Ardoin said the direction came from supervisors in the narcotics administration.
"We normally ride two people to a vehicle and each person had to have one arrest before the end of the shift," Ardoin said.
Questioned that it sounded like a quota, Ardoin said that is how it was organized.
"You can look at it as a quota," Ardoin said. "Basically, from the supervisors, they would tell us if we didn't like it we could transfer out. I think one of the main reasons was because when we were working those patrols, there was an overtime assignment."
CASES DISMISSED AND GROWING FALLOUT
Months after the arrests of Ardoin and Acree, District Attorney Hillar Moore's office dismissed 640 drug charges for defendants with pending cases. Moore has told the WBRZ Investigative Unit figuring out when the corruption first began is challenging. Prosecutors are trying to determine how far back they have to go to take a look at charges that need to be dismissed. Ardoin said he expects the number of charges that are ultimately dismissed to reach the thousands.
"I'm here because I need to share my story," Ardoin said. "I was speaking out long before this happened and that's why the things they did to me happened, but when I was speaking out, pretty much fell on deaf ears until it got to this point."
Attorneys representing Ardoin said the far-reaching implications of what Ardoin is saying have been reported to the FBI. On Thursday, Mayor Sharon Weston Broome's office released a statement in response to Nakamoto's interview with Ardoin.
"The recent allegations levied by a former Baton Rouge Police Department narcotics officer are concerning to say the least. They allege a serious violation of public trust by some who are sworn to serve and protect our community.
As Chief Murphy Paul stated this week, these allegations are being taken seriously, and the Department is currently conducting a criminal and administrative investigation related to them. If the investigation determines the allegations are true, then those responsible for wrongdoing must be held accountable.
Since my time as Mayor, I have worked hard to build public trust with the Baton Rouge Police Department. I have instituted policies to improve accountability and transparency in order to close the gap between our community and law enforcement. Much of the resistance and pushback that has been publicly shown by a select few has been due to the implementation of these principles. Yet, we now see those principles at work in this case and will communicate the findings of this investigation once it is complete.
I continue to be grateful to the vast majority of our police officers who are committed to these principles. I am also grateful to the community, which continues to hold us to the highest standards. When wrongdoing occurs, it must be brought to light in order for us to move forward."
The Need for A Gofundme:
I am asking for help as I try to put my life back together. I am hurting financially, I am seeing a therapist (which costs money), and I have three children that I provide for who look up to me as their father, everyday. Along with my personal family needs, I am still dealing with false allegations slowly making their way through the internal investigation and criminal justice system that hurts my chances of employment. Lastly, I have completely had to adjust my lifestyle for fear of threats and targeting because I spoke out about the wrong-doings that were occurring in the Baton Rouge Police Department. Whatever help you can provide, I am thankful.
Jeremiah Ardoin did not shield his identity and said he wanted to expose the truth in an explosive conversation with WBRZ Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto. What he said in a TV interview has only been heard directly from a small group: The FBI, the Baton Rouge Police Chief, and Nakamoto. What he has told each person has resulted in an investigation of the Baton Rouge Police Department, officer transfers, a police officer's arrest, hundreds of drug charges being dismissed, and hundreds more pending.
Ardoin could be considered a whistleblower but has his issues as he grapples with shining light on a department; he said he no longer trusts those who he had confidence is protecting him and he is currently facing misdemeanor charges after being arrested for buying stolen merchandise on the street. Ardoin believes his arrest was a setup, a predetermined event his colleagues orchestrated when they got wind he wanted out of the wrongdoing he stated has been going on in the police department's drug unit.
After coming forward, my life has been traumatized. I am no longer able to care for my family, as I was before coming forward. I went months without work, and only recently have found temporary employment that still does not meet the financial needs of my family. I never thought I would need to solicit the help of others to take care of myself and family. After I came forward, I was targeted several times and had drugs planted in my patrol vehicle. I hated to leave Law Enforcement, but I was in fear for my life and freedom. I could no longer stand by and watch innocent people go to jail.
Among his concerns, a quota system that targeted minorities.
"At least three to four nights a week, they would have us riding through the neighborhoods," Ardoin said. "If you saw a random black person walking around the street and hasn't done anything, they would tell us to jump out the vehicle, grab them and pat them down without probable cause. I voiced my opinions several times, and I disagreed with that."
It had gotten to the point I had had enough and was planning a transfer out of the narcotics unit. Then, in December 2020, he was arrested. After being charged, he started cooperating with department investigators probing allegations of wrongdoing. His cooperation led to the arrest of his colleague, Jason Acree, another BRPD narcotics officer charged with malfeasance for stealing drugs.
Baton Rouge Police released a statement Wednesday from Police Chief Murphy Paul:
"While we would like to address some of the assertions being reported by Mr. Ardoin, the Department is in the midst of active criminal and administrative investigations related to his reports. Thus, we cannot discuss any specific points being made by Mr. Ardoin."
"What I can do, however, is assure the community that we have and will continue to take the appropriate actions, as these investigations progress. As we strive to strengthen trust in our community, the Baton Rouge Police Department is committed to transparency, accountability, and integrity. I look forward to providing our community with a full report once these investigations are concluded."
CONCERNS RAISED
Jeremiah Ardoin first began sounding the alarm about concerns in the narcotics division in the fall of 2020. He said that conversation was with BRPD administration about the type of drug cases they were doing and how he was unhappy with them. He did not give specifics at the time but did express concerns about squad operations.
Ardoin said not long after the August meeting, he requested a transfer. Before he could be moved, Ardoin said his supervisors caught wind that he had complained to BRPD administration. That's when he said he was approached by a woman who sold him two cameras and a television.
UNWRITTEN POLICY ABOUT QUOTAS
Ardoin said during his four-year stint in the narcotics division, officers were required to make one drug arrest per shift. Ardoin recalled that mandate was verbal and would not be found written in any policy.
"At least three to four nights a week they would have us riding through the neighborhoods," Ardoin said. "If you saw a random black person walking around the street and hasn't done anything, they would tell us just to jump out the vehicle, grab them and pat them down without probable cause. I voiced my opinions several times, and I didn't agree with that."
Ardoin said the direction came from supervisors in the narcotics administration.
"We normally ride two people to a vehicle and each person had to have one arrest before the end of the shift," Ardoin said.
Questioned that it sounded like a quota, Ardoin said that is how it was organized.
"You can look at it as a quota," Ardoin said. "Basically, from the supervisors, they would tell us if we didn't like it we could transfer out. I think one of the main reasons was because when we were working those patrols, there was an overtime assignment."
CASES DISMISSED AND GROWING FALLOUT
Months after the arrests of Ardoin and Acree, District Attorney Hillar Moore's office dismissed 640 drug charges for defendants with pending cases. Moore has told the WBRZ Investigative Unit figuring out when the corruption first began is challenging. Prosecutors are trying to determine how far back they have to go to take a look at charges that need to be dismissed. Ardoin said he expects the number of charges that are ultimately dismissed to reach the thousands.
"I'm here because I need to share my story," Ardoin said. "I was speaking out long before this happened and that's why the things they did to me happened, but when I was speaking out, pretty much fell on deaf ears until it got to this point."
Attorneys representing Ardoin said the far-reaching implications of what Ardoin is saying have been reported to the FBI. On Thursday, Mayor Sharon Weston Broome's office released a statement in response to Nakamoto's interview with Ardoin.
"The recent allegations levied by a former Baton Rouge Police Department narcotics officer are concerning to say the least. They allege a serious violation of public trust by some who are sworn to serve and protect our community.
As Chief Murphy Paul stated this week, these allegations are being taken seriously, and the Department is currently conducting a criminal and administrative investigation related to them. If the investigation determines the allegations are true, then those responsible for wrongdoing must be held accountable.
Since my time as Mayor, I have worked hard to build public trust with the Baton Rouge Police Department. I have instituted policies to improve accountability and transparency in order to close the gap between our community and law enforcement. Much of the resistance and pushback that has been publicly shown by a select few has been due to the implementation of these principles. Yet, we now see those principles at work in this case and will communicate the findings of this investigation once it is complete.
I continue to be grateful to the vast majority of our police officers who are committed to these principles. I am also grateful to the community, which continues to hold us to the highest standards. When wrongdoing occurs, it must be brought to light in order for us to move forward."
The Need for A Gofundme:
I am asking for help as I try to put my life back together. I am hurting financially, I am seeing a therapist (which costs money), and I have three children that I provide for who look up to me as their father, everyday. Along with my personal family needs, I am still dealing with false allegations slowly making their way through the internal investigation and criminal justice system that hurts my chances of employment. Lastly, I have completely had to adjust my lifestyle for fear of threats and targeting because I spoke out about the wrong-doings that were occurring in the Baton Rouge Police Department. Whatever help you can provide, I am thankful.
Organizer
Jeremiah Ardoin
Organizer
Baton Rouge, LA