NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9855340/

New Orleans police fire 51 for desertion
45 officers, 6 civilians fired for abandoning posts before or after Katrina
Updated: 6:37 p.m. ET Oct. 28, 2005
NEW ORLEANS - Fifty-one members of the New Orleans Police Department — 45 officers and six civilian employees — were fired Friday for abandoning their posts before or after Hurricane Katrina.

“They were terminated due to them abandoning the department prior to the storm,” acting superintendent Warren Riley said. “They either left before the hurricane or 10 to 12 days after the storm, and we have never heard from them.”

The mass firing was the first action taken against the missing officers. Fifteen other officers resigned when placed under investigation for abandonment.

“This isn’t representative of our department,” Riley said. “We had a lot of heroes that stepped up after the storm.”

Another 45 officers have resigned from the force since the Aug. 29 storm. The resignations were for personal reasons ranging from relocation to new employment, Riley said.

45? That isnt too bad..

45? That isnt too bad..

That's it? I'm wondering why that's ALL. If I recall correctly almost 1/3rd of the police force fled or deserted.

And howabout those who commited gross violations of the constitution? I sure hope they don't get off scot-free.

That's it? I'm wondering why that's ALL. If I recall correctly almost 1/3rd of the police force fled or deserted.

And howabout those who commited gross violations of the constitution? I sure hope they don't get off scot-free.
Cant really blame them can you?

I wonder how strictly they interpreted 'abandoning their post'? They had 240 unaccounted for, after all -- and some reports of far higher than that.

Pretty disgraceful, in any event. There must have been significant problems with training and morale to have this problem.

My hat is off to the guys who did their job.

I wonder how strictly they interpreted 'abandoning their post'? They had 240 unaccounted for, after all -- and some reports of far higher than that.

Pretty disgraceful, in any event. There must have been significant problems with training and morale to have this problem.

My hat is off to the guys who did their job.

The NO police was rife w/ corruption and scandals. It's pretty sad when the police are caught on film casually looting a store.

Cant really blame them can you?

The deserters or the JBTs?

Yeah, I can.

Deserters.. Trying to survive thye are.

Cant really blame them can you?

Yes I can. The police motto is "To Serve and Protect", not "Serve and Protect Ourselves"

Deserters.. Trying to survive thye are.

So the ones caught on tape looting (not food) and the ones who left BEFORE the storm were just "trying to survive"?

Yes I can. The police motto is "To Serve and Protect", not "Serve and Protect Ourselves"
Well, personally narrowly missing the tusunami myself, and having a few friends caught up with thatm I dont really care what the motto, as long as they did their best for themselves.

Well, personally narrowly missing the tusunami myself, and having a few friends caught up with thatm I dont really care what the motto, as long as they did their best for themselves.

I have human sympathy for a guy in a tough spot. They swore an oath, though. I would not be able to live with myself if I abandoned my job and the people I swore to protect. It's a matter of honor and duty.

I'm glad I'm not one of those who deserted. How can they ever respect themselves again?

Well, personally narrowly missing the tusunami myself, and having a few friends caught up with thatm I dont really care what the motto, as long as they did their best for themselves.

You really don't understand the concept of "police officer" then.

Just for the sake of an arguement. ;)

You really don't understand the concept of "police officer" then.

"Oh, look a looter! Run! AHHHH!!"