Law enforcement consolidation campaign gets lukewarm reception

City and law enforcement leaders have responded tepidly to local businessman and political activist Lane Grigsby's announcement Friday that he plans to mount a campaign for consolidating the Baton Rouge Police Department and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office into one agency. Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White has stayed silent since Daily Report reached out to him Monday, while Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says he would be "open to that discussion" if in the future the public and law enforcement agencies show support for consolidation. "I am committed to do what I need to as sheriff of this parish to keep the community safe as outlined by our state's constitution," Gautreaux says. "I have the utmost respect for Chief White, and we will certainly continue to offer any support that his agency needs." Consolidation of the two agencies is not a new idea. In April 2011, the Metro Council voted to form a committee to study the prospect of unifying the departments into a single law enforcement agency. Councilman Chandler Loupe at that time said he sought elimination of wasteful spending and duplication of services after bringing the agenda item to a vote. But the committee seemingly never gained traction. Loupe and Councilman Mike Walker did not return calls seeking comment about the committee's progress. "We've got no information," says Council Administrator Brian Mayers. Grigsby, for his part, says Northshore-based Innovative Advertising is helping him strategize his consolidation campaign. —Adam Pearson

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