press clipping |
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-14/1147935526224000.xml&coll=1 |
3 cops disciplined in Katrina inquiries
One had 'no idea' city was evacuated Thursday, May 18, 2006 From staff reports Three more New Orleans police officers have been suspended for their actions related to Hurricane Katrina, bringing to 239 the total number of officers disciplined for failing to properly carry out their duties during the crisis, according to civil service records. The latest suspensions were handed down several months after the initial wave of disciplinary cases. The cases were delayed because the officers were out with illness, injury or some other legitimate reason, said Assistant Chief Marlon Defillo, commander of the Public Integrity Bureau. The three officers will likely be the last to be disciplined for problems in reporting to duty during Katrina, Defillo said. The officers are: -- Jeffrey Amos, suspended for 55 days for failing to report to duty from Aug. 30 to Sept. 7. -- Patricia Dupart, suspended for one day for failing to submit proper paperwork from a doctor for a back injury she reported four days before the storm. Dupart returned to duty on Sept. 11. -- Quincy Shelling, suspended for 35 days for failing to report to duty from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3. Shelling was suspended an additional three days for "truthfulness" for saying he was unable to contact his supervisors. "However, you admitted you were able to contact your mother one day prior to the storm and you admitted that you continually contacted your partners," Superintendent Warren Riley stated in Shelling's disciplinary letter. "You also said you had no idea Hurricane Katrina was headed for New Orleans and that you had no idea there was an evacuation from the city." None of the three officers appealed to the Civil Service Commission. With the commission entering its final weeks of hearings, 118 officers are fighting their dismissals, suspensions or demotions. Appeal decisions are not expected for at least 90 days. |