Mike Hoss / Eyewitness News
NEW ORLEANS -- The heat is being turned up on paid police details, as the NOPD works on overhauling the entire system. In fact, several agencies are looking into how the details have been given out in the past and how it will happen in the future.
The Department of Justice called the NOPD's police detail system the "aorta of corruption."
“There is certainly the perception that some police officers are more interested in their details than in their responsibilities as police officers,” said Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas said he will have a revamped detail system by May 15, but it comes on the heels of news that Serpas's son-in-law and his personal driver, as well as 8th District Commander Edwin Hosli were earning thousands of dollars reviewing the red light and traffic citations as part of a paid detail with the Department of Public Works.
"I had nothing to do with that," Serpas said. "That was part of the Department of Public Works choice when they selected a vendor. That issue never came before me."
Mayor Mitch Landrieu said Thursday he ordered Serpas to have the overhaul "detail" plan by May 15.
But the city itself uses police details at the traffic hearing office on Poydras Street and the city impound lot on Almonaster Boulevard.
The Office of Inspector General is looking at the whole issue of police details as Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux says "millions and millions are being paid for details.”
“Collectively across the force it's big money,” he said. “We're gonna try to find out exactly how much money as well.”
The Office of the Independent Police Monitor is also watching the investigation.
“We have to make sure no rules were broken, no laws were broken and that everything was being handled properly and then we have to look at internal procedures to make sure that there are as good as they can be,” Hutson said.
Serpas said the new policy is ready in draft form but not ready for distribution.
Landrieu responded that he has asked city attorney Nannette Jolivette Brown "to do a thorough review of how paid details are being used within city government for government business."
