The United State Justice Department has reached seperate agreements with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Ville Platte Police Department.

The Justice Department concluded both agencies had arrested and held people in jail—sometimes without obtaining a warrant and without probable cause, and that violates the 4th amendment. 

Under the agreement, the two agencies will develop policies and provide training and supervision to officers to make sure the practice of unlawful seizures does not continue.

The agencies will also increase transparency by collecting and reporting data.  The department’s investigation dates back to April, 2015.