Police brutality by Rayne police alleged in news conference

By PAUL KEDINGER

Managing Editor

Accusations of police brutality were lodged against Rayne Police Officer Joseph Cormier by Wendell Price and Chief Carroll Stelly was criticized for not taking corrective steps during a news conference held in front of the Rayne Police Department office Thursday morning.

The news conference was conducted by Rev. Raymond Brown, who heads the National Action Civil Rights Organization in New Orleans.

Armed with a poster containing pictures of the wounds inflicted by a taser and a police baton on him on April 2, 2012, Price related that Officer Cormier drove into his driveway and using vulgar language ordered him to cage three dogs in his yard.

The officer was searching for a black man with a tan pit bull which reportedly had attacked a white woman.

Price said he told Cormier that his three dogs were not pit bulls, but two Shar Peis and a Rottweller mix.

Price said Officer Cormier struck him repeated with a metal baton when he refused to cage the dogs and started to enter his house.

A second officer, Joseph Credeur, arrived and reportedly tasered Price who was then taken to the police station where he was handcuffed.

Price said he fainted and was taken to University Medical Center for treatment and recounted how a physician questioned him regarding his high blood pressure.

Six pictures of his wounds were featured on a poster with the words “Police Brutality” in red and held up for the television news cameras.

Rev. Brown interjected, “We have evidence,” adding if the incident had occurred in New Orleans, the police chief there would have “fired him a long time ago.”

Price also pointed out that 13 days after his arrest, Officer Cormier was arrested by Crowley Police for domestic violence, an allegation later dropped by the District Attorney’s office.

Price also argued reports given by five witnesses did not match the facts, and that he had to ask five times to correct his own statement before he agreed to sign the report.

Thirty days later, Price said Officer Cormier stopped him outside a store, alleging he had been clocked speeding 37 mph in a 25 mph speed zone blocks earlier.

Price said he told Chief Stelly, “This officer is harassing me.”

Two months later, Chief Stelly shared the details of an internal investigation report. Price said Stelly only noted the police officer should not have cursed him.

In addition to the poster featuring his wounds, a second poster featured a picture of Officer Joseph Credeur with the words “falsifies information” and “racist” underneath his picture. The poster also contained a picture of Troy Menard, with a label stating he had been rehired after being fired for “stealing property.”

A third poster featured Chief Stelly and Captain Tony Olinger. Under Stelly’s picture were the words “biased” and “officer can do no wrong.” Under Olinger’s picture were the words “falsifies information” and “liar.”

A fourth poster featured Officer Cormier pictured at an apparent traffic stop and his arrest report. The poster was labeled “The Community Bully.”

Three other Rayne citizens made comments during the news conference.

Mr. Alton Washington, the father of a murdered son Alfor Wheeler, said his son was murdered by four men, but Rayne Police charged only two men.

Dorothy Cole also told the crowd she was not speeding but was charged and forced to pay a $200 court fine.

Dan Cole also said he was discriminated against because the Rayne City Council denied him a liquor license on March 11 when there was no seconding motion to Alderwoman Ann Washington’s motion to grant the license. “I still don’t know why today,” he remarked.

To conclude the news conference, Rev. Brown repeated called out, “No Justice” to which a group of black residents gathered behind him answered, “No Peace” and “Justice Now” as he led them in a march from the front door of the police station to Oak Street.

At the time of the news conference, Chief Stelly was in Lake Charles attending graduation ceremonies for three police officers.

He issued his response to the allegations Thursday afternoon.

His full statement follows:

“Rayne Police Chief Carroll Stelly has reviewed the civil rights protest that took place at the Rayne Police Department on Thursday, March 28, 2013. While Chief Stelly supports the protestor’s first amendment right to free speech, he stated that all issues brought up in the protest have been investigated by an internal affairs inquiry and found to be unsustained.

“Chief Stelly added that the Wendell Price incident is still pending criminal trial in District Court and that the timing of such protest is suspect. Again, this incident was reviewed by an internal affairs inquiry and sustained the officer’s use of force was reasonable and lawful to bring the non-compliant Price under arrests. Chief Stelly welcomes the Price family to request a formal investigation from the Louisiana State Police or the Federal Bureau of Investigation if they believe that criminal conduct occurred.

“Chief Stelly stated that he enforces high standards of conduct in all of his officers and will diligently investigate any reports of abuse and has done so throughout his tenure as Chief of Police. In addition to citizen complaints, the Rayne Police Department routinely investigates all officer use’s of force to ensure that they comply with department policy.

“As to Alton Washington’s complaint that two of the people involved in the murder of his son, Alfor Wheeler, was not charged; it was the Office of the District Attorney who directed the charges against only two of the suspects. All additional inquries, should be directed to their office.”

A parish grand jury turned a true bill against Price charging him with one felon: resisting a police officer with force or violence and two misdemeanors: animal at large and battery of a police officer.

Price’s case is expected to present pre-trial motions on Wednesday, April 3, in district court.