Police conduct internal investigation after Veal’s arrest

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said her office and the Baton Rouge Police Department are working to provide answers to the public after the footage of bodycam footage of a police encounter on Roosevelt Street.

On June 7, BRPD released its initial findings regarding the arrest of Rodrick Veal. Body camera video was released with the report.

Veal was charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon during a felony, resisting a police officer, possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a CDS of Schedule II, disarming a police officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In a statement released Monday, June 10, Broome said she had seen the footage and “listened carefully to the feelings of citizens concerned about the content of the video.”

Last week, BRPD released body camera footage from an incident in Old South Baton Rouge. The release of this footage is part of our ongoing efforts to make law enforcement actions transparent to the public.

Following the release of these images, I personally viewed the incident and listened carefully to the feelings of citizens concerned about the content of the video.

I met with Chief TJ Morse and the investigation process began. This investigation is subject to the timelines of the Police Bill of Rights. However, we will endeavor to provide answers to the public as soon as possible.

Under my administration, BRPD has championed 21st century policing and, therefore, we must ensure accountability to these standards and uphold our commitment to better policing in our community.

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome

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