Big Changes For Louisiana State Police After Troopers Take ‘Side Trip’ To Vegas
Major changes were announced within the Louisiana State Police department after a group of troopers were investigated for a "side trip" to Las Vegas.
State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson announced that Maj. Derrell Williams would be reassigned from Internal Affairs to patrol duty "pending the completion of an internal investigation" into an incident that was described as an "embarrassment to the agency."
According to The Advocate, Williams was one of four troopers who drove a State Police SUV to an annual conference last year in San Diego—but took a questionable detour.
the group took a circuitous route on the way to the conference, traveling hundreds of miles out of their way and charging dozens of hours of overtime.
Edmonson is investigating whether or not the troopers violated department rules by charging the state for "overnight stays at the Grand Canyon and a Las Vegas casino."
The other officers in the SUV were Lt. Rodney Hyatt, Senior Trooper Thurman Miller and Trooper Alexandr Nezgodinsky. They were among about 15 people the State Police sent to the IACP conference. State Police travel records show the agency spent more than $33,000 for airfare, lodging, meals, registration fees and other expenses for the conference.
The State Police superintendent claims that he had not been aware until last week that troopers were paid thousands of dollars in overtime and says the agency is "taking steps to recoup" the cash.
See all the changes made and get the full story via The Advocate here.