Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft admits the conducting an investigation into a department officer accused of using a racial slur.  Craft says the officer has been reprimanded. “The guy did use a racial slur on two different occasions. His discipline was according to that,” adds Craft.

Retired Lafayette Police Officer Andres Landor is the officer that filed the initial complaint.  He submitted a recording of the accused officer calling another a derogatory name.

Landor learned the same racial slur was used again by the same cop in the same manner. “We’re not commenting on the merits of what was done. We are just saying we think the investigation was properly done,” explains a civil service board member.

On Wednesday, Landor sat before the civil service board to say the 30 day suspension is not enough. Landor wants the officer fired. “It’s obvious it’s a subconscious reaction this guy has. The 30 day suspension is ludicrous,” notes Landor.

Landor asked the board to investigate the incident outside of what the LPD has already done. “It has not been our boards practice to open an investigation unless there was just cause,” says a civil service board member.

Police Chief Jim craft explained the complaint was investigated. He said he talked to human resources and other agencies to help reach a proper level of discipline. “We can’t allow citizens or other entities to determine a level of disciplinary action.  We have to follow labor laws and policy and procedures,” says Craft.

Craft says he realizes Landor wants the officer terminated but said the circumstances before him did not rise to that level. “I’ve seen officers get more for less. I kind of figured that would be the outcome of my request,” adds Landor.

“There was a recent case in Monroe where the civil service board fired the officer or West Monroe. I’m not sure which one.  he civil service board reinstated him. They say the discipline was too severe,” explains Craft.