Former Baton Rouge Officer Arrested for Excessive Force, Battery, and Abuse
A former Baton Rouge police officer, Troy Lawrence Jr., has been arrested on charges of excessive force, battery, and abuse. The arrest comes after multiple complaints were filed against Lawrence, accusing him of using excessive force during his time with the Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD).
The specific incident leading to Lawrence’s arrest occurred on August 8, when he allegedly used a Taser on a handcuffed suspect who was seated in the back of a patrol car. BRPD reviewed body camera footage of the incident, which showed Lawrence using the Taser before giving the person a chance to comply with verbal commands.
Lawrence is also facing unrelated allegations of abusing suspects at a BRPD facility known as the BRAVE Cave or torture warehouse. In separate complaints, he is accused of severely beating a 21-year-old man and conducting an illegal strip search of a woman at the facility.
Chief Murphy Paul stated that the department was in the process of terminating Lawrence when he voluntarily resigned. Lawrence had been on administrative leave prior to his resignation. Lawrence’s father, Deputy Chief Troy Lawrence Sr., holds a prominent position in the BRPD and was promoted to his role in 2020.
This is not the first time Lawrence Jr. has faced accusations of excessive force. He is the subject of at least four federal lawsuits against the BRPD, including one that alleges he committed four batteries in just 90 seconds while breaking up an argument outside a hospital.
In 2020, Lawrence was accused of spewing profanities and using force against Shermaine Reed during a car accident response. Reed filed a lawsuit against the city, resulting in a settlement of $55,000. Lawrence also conducted a warrantless search of an apartment during a traffic stop in 2021, resulting in a lawsuit and settlement of $35,000 for the victim, Clarence Green.
Alongside Lawrence’s resignation, Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced the permanent closure of the warehouse and the disbandment of the Baton Rouge Street Crimes Unit. A criminal investigation into how officers handled suspects at the facility has been launched, with the BRPD now collaborating with the FBI on investigative efforts.
In light of Lawrence’s arrest, two other officers with connections to the Street Crimes Unit, Officer Todd Thomas and Sgt. Jesse Barcelona, have been placed on administrative leave. The reasons for their leave have not been disclosed by the police.
The arrest of Troy Lawrence Jr. highlights ongoing concerns about excessive force and misconduct within the Baton Rouge Police Department. It is crucial for authorities to thoroughly investigate these allegations and take appropriate action to ensure public trust and accountability within the department.
