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Council asks state police review and legislative audit after months of unanswered questions about McCaskey case
Summary
Facing repeated public appeals for transparency, the Hammond City Council voted to request that the Louisiana State Police review the Bobby Ray McCaskey incident and separately asked the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to audit the Hammond Police Department amid concerns about delayed responses from outside agencies.
The Hammond City Council on Tuesday approved two measures seeking outside scrutiny of local law enforcement's handling of a high-profile case and department practices.
First, the council agreed to request that the Louisiana State Police review materials related to the Bobby Ray McCaskey incident after community members and councilors said they had received inconsistent information about whether the matter was with the FBI, the attorney general's office or the 21st Judicial District Court. Councilman Andrews said he placed the item on the agenda because constituents had repeatedly asked for answers and the city had not received clear feedback from external agencies.
Members of the public and advocacy groups made emotional appeals. Michael Shouse, identified in the meeting as president of the Greater Transpro Parish NAACP, told the council: "It's beginning to look like a cover up." He and other speakers urged that the council subpoena the chief of police or prompt an independent review so the family and public could learn the status of investigations and see body-camera footage.
Administration staff and city legal counsel said the city's investigative materials had been turned over to federal and state authorities. "Everything was turned over to the FBI on March 17 as it existed at that point," Andre said during public comment, adding that the same material had been provided to the attorney general's office and that the city would forward documents to the state police for review.
Separately, the council approved a request that the Louisiana Legislative Auditor conduct an audit of the Hammond Police Department after councilors said they had not received satisfactory responses to records requests and had received numerous constituent complaints. Some council members asked for more specificity about the time frame and the scope of the audit; the sponsor said staff would provide the materials the auditor requires.
Both resolutions passed by roll call; councilors and residents said the actions were intended to bring independent oversight and answers to family members who say they have waited months for clarity. The city will transfer investigative materials to the state police and provide the auditor with relevant records as requested.
