US court examines Baton Rouge Police Department’s body search policy

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (BRPROUD) – A federal judge will hear arguments next week about the Baton Rouge Police Department’s strip-search policy.

In April, attorney Thomas Frampton filed a motion for an injunction on behalf of his client to end the existing practice of strip-searching without arrest, Jeremy Lee, who is suing after he was reportedly searched and beaten by police officers.

“Every day that this policy is in effect is a danger to the people of Baton Rouge,” Frampton said.

On New Year’s Day 2020, Baton Rouge police officers strip-searched Clarence Green and his 16-year-old brother in broad daylight after a traffic stop. Officers reportedly exposed their private areas in search of drugs. Officers then entered Green’s home without a search warrant. He sued the BRPD and won. The East Baton Rouge Metro Council awarded Green $35,000. Frampton represented Green in that lawsuit.

“This was not constitutional policing, it was more like a sexual assault,” Frampton said.

Since the incident, several lawsuits have been filed against the BRPD alleging illegal strip searches. Some officers have been disciplined and some face possible criminal charges. The story has gone national.

In 2023, the FBI launched an investigation into the BRPD after several complaints were filed regarding illegal strip searches and beatings at the so-called “Brave Cave,” a drug processing facility. The BRPD and Mayor Sharon Weston Broome closed the building. At a 2023 press conference, Weston Broome said the building “will remain permanently closed and will not be used for police activities in the future.” The Street Crimes Unit was also disbanded.

Current BRPD policy allows officers to strip search someone if there is reasonable suspicion of a crime. Lawsuits allege that the current policy violates the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures.

We asked BRPD Police Chief Thomas Morse whether he believes the current policy is unconstitutional.

“No, I don’t think it’s unconstitutional at all,” Morse said.

Last month, Morse required that all searches be documented in writing, saying the rule was not perfect.

“Are there things we might want to tweak in the policy? Of course,” Morse said.

Morse also said he would await “legal review” of the BRPD’s search policies before making any further changes.

The federal hearing on the temporary restraining order will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25, in downtown Baton Rouge at the Russell B. Long Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse.

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