Jelly
09-29-2005, 07:04 PM
I saw this hotel manager interviewed on TV. It was pretty stunning.
NEW ORLEANS (CNN) -- The New Orleans Police Department is investigating allegations some of its officers went on a looting spree while the city plunged into chaos after Hurricane Katrina.
The probe will focus on at least 12 police officers, said acting Superintendent Warren Riley. Four officers have been suspended, and one officer has been reassigned so far, he said.
"There is zero tolerance for misconduct or unprofessionalism by any member of this department," said Riley, promising "swift and decisive action" against violators.
"The more than 2,000 men and women of this agency stand united in not letting a very small segment of members tarnish the great reputation of this department," Riley said. He added that they should be commended for "30 days of tremendous challenges."
Earlier, Capt. Marlon DeFillo acknowledged the investigation after officials reviewed a video showing an officer reaching for a gun as he blocked the door of hotel room.
The hotel's owner, Osman Khan, and an employee told CNN eight New Orleans officers had used the room to stage a four-day drinking and looting binge.(See the video behind the investigation -- 3:50)
If the allegations prove true, the department's internal investigation will result in "swift and decisive action," including criminal charges, DeFillo told CNN. The department has "zero tolerance" for misconduct, he said.
Khan told CNN that 70 police officers moved into his Amerihost Inn and Suites on August 29, the night New Orleans flooded. Most of the officers went out to fight looters and try to keep order on the streets. But eight of the officers, he said, instead took over the 10th floor of the hotel and embarked on a looting spree of their own.
"They'd leave nine or 10 at night and come back 4:30 in the morning," carrying "everything from Adidas shoes to Rolex watches," Khan said.
Hotel engineer Perry Emery said the eight officers were drinking almost all of the time. When Emery came to the 10th floor to bring towels, he saw what the officers had accumulated.
"Jewelry, generators, fans. One time they came back with a bunch of weapons," Emery said. He said he had no doubts about what he witnessed: "These were New Orleans police officers -- looting."
One generator, Khan said, was stolen -- as he watched -- from Tulane University Hospital next door. He added that the officers ran an extension cord to a refrigerator in their room to keep their beer cold.
City officials have said about 250 New Orleans officers did not report for work after the hurricane. Some appear to have walked off the job.
Police Superintendent Eddie Compass announced Tuesday he would retire. He said he stepped down at the urging of Mayor Ray Nagin, who named Riley to replace him. (Watch the departing police chief 1:36) A department spokesman said Compass' resignation was not related to the looting probe.
Khan and Emery's accounts are not the only reports of police looting. Several witnesses said police are continuing to loot unoccupied homes. The empty city, they say, has made it easy for corrupt officers to take whatever they want.
Erlaine McLaurin said she saw two police cars pull up to an apartment building down the street from where she lives. Then she and her father watched as two officers walked inside and came out with their arms full.
"They [filled] up the white car, the police car," McLaurin said. "He got a four pack of soda, a microwave, CD player. Put that in," she said. "I know everybody that lives here. Ain't no cops live here."
In the building, seven of 12 apartment doors appear to have been kicked, pushed or battered off their frames. It did not appear likely that rescue workers broke down the doors because the neighborhood wasn't flooded.
City resident Steve Thomas said he watched police kick in the door to a lower Garden District home. He has no doubts he saw the officers looting. "They got police escorts coming in here, breaking in houses and taking the stuff," he said.
NEW ORLEANS (CNN) -- The New Orleans Police Department is investigating allegations some of its officers went on a looting spree while the city plunged into chaos after Hurricane Katrina.
The probe will focus on at least 12 police officers, said acting Superintendent Warren Riley. Four officers have been suspended, and one officer has been reassigned so far, he said.
"There is zero tolerance for misconduct or unprofessionalism by any member of this department," said Riley, promising "swift and decisive action" against violators.
"The more than 2,000 men and women of this agency stand united in not letting a very small segment of members tarnish the great reputation of this department," Riley said. He added that they should be commended for "30 days of tremendous challenges."
Earlier, Capt. Marlon DeFillo acknowledged the investigation after officials reviewed a video showing an officer reaching for a gun as he blocked the door of hotel room.
The hotel's owner, Osman Khan, and an employee told CNN eight New Orleans officers had used the room to stage a four-day drinking and looting binge.(See the video behind the investigation -- 3:50)
If the allegations prove true, the department's internal investigation will result in "swift and decisive action," including criminal charges, DeFillo told CNN. The department has "zero tolerance" for misconduct, he said.
Khan told CNN that 70 police officers moved into his Amerihost Inn and Suites on August 29, the night New Orleans flooded. Most of the officers went out to fight looters and try to keep order on the streets. But eight of the officers, he said, instead took over the 10th floor of the hotel and embarked on a looting spree of their own.
"They'd leave nine or 10 at night and come back 4:30 in the morning," carrying "everything from Adidas shoes to Rolex watches," Khan said.
Hotel engineer Perry Emery said the eight officers were drinking almost all of the time. When Emery came to the 10th floor to bring towels, he saw what the officers had accumulated.
"Jewelry, generators, fans. One time they came back with a bunch of weapons," Emery said. He said he had no doubts about what he witnessed: "These were New Orleans police officers -- looting."
One generator, Khan said, was stolen -- as he watched -- from Tulane University Hospital next door. He added that the officers ran an extension cord to a refrigerator in their room to keep their beer cold.
City officials have said about 250 New Orleans officers did not report for work after the hurricane. Some appear to have walked off the job.
Police Superintendent Eddie Compass announced Tuesday he would retire. He said he stepped down at the urging of Mayor Ray Nagin, who named Riley to replace him. (Watch the departing police chief 1:36) A department spokesman said Compass' resignation was not related to the looting probe.
Khan and Emery's accounts are not the only reports of police looting. Several witnesses said police are continuing to loot unoccupied homes. The empty city, they say, has made it easy for corrupt officers to take whatever they want.
Erlaine McLaurin said she saw two police cars pull up to an apartment building down the street from where she lives. Then she and her father watched as two officers walked inside and came out with their arms full.
"They [filled] up the white car, the police car," McLaurin said. "He got a four pack of soda, a microwave, CD player. Put that in," she said. "I know everybody that lives here. Ain't no cops live here."
In the building, seven of 12 apartment doors appear to have been kicked, pushed or battered off their frames. It did not appear likely that rescue workers broke down the doors because the neighborhood wasn't flooded.
City resident Steve Thomas said he watched police kick in the door to a lower Garden District home. He has no doubts he saw the officers looting. "They got police escorts coming in here, breaking in houses and taking the stuff," he said.