Top Cop Back

There were hugs and smiles galore Thursday, March 17, 2022, as the Monroe Fire and Police Civil Board voted to have former interim police Chief Reggie Brown reinstated back on the Monroe Police Department. Brown became the subject of a controversial case involving a former Monroe police officer, where it was alleged that Brown, while chief, engaged in a coverup to drag on a case in an effort to help former mayor Jamie Mayo win reelection. Brown, who was still police chief when newly elected mayor, Oliver "Friday" Ellis, was fired by Ellis' new hire Victor "Vic" Zordan in November 2020 for not turning over an excessive force case to the Louisiana State Police "in a timely manner" because the mayoral race was coming to a close. Brown and another officer denied those claims, which led to both men's termination. The Civil Service Board decided that whatever crime Brown allegedly committed, according to Chief Zordan, did not meet the initial punishment. The board, in its decision, said that Brown would instead receive a 90-day suspension without pay but would get his job back with benefits. The ruling suggests that Zordan could have handled Brown's case differently. Now, as it appears that Brown may once again be a Monroe police officer, no one knows as of now in what capacity Brown will work as an officer. Mayor Ellis and Chief Zordan have been quiet as the city leaders review the decision and decide the next move. Brown had been the subject of Mayo's foes for some time, as one group asked the city for records of some former/current MPD officers, but the main focus of that group seemed to center only around Brown. That group was unsuccessful in getting those records, and when the Timothy Williams incident occurred, speculations developed that MPD was covering up the incident because of the mayor's race. In the meantime, the officer accused in the excessive case involving Williams also appeared before the same board while then-Police Chief Quentin Holmes was working to fire him for having a banned substance in his system. The board voted to reinstate that officer, saying he deserved another chance. It wouldn't be long before it was revealed that he was one of the officers involved in the Williams' incident, eventually leading to Brown's dismissal as chief. Soon after, Mayor Ellis would petition the Civil Service Board to reopen the police chief's exam, citing that he wanted to be able to make his choice from another field of applicants. Brown, along with many other applicants submitted their names at the first announcement of the exam, even though it was widely regarded in some circles that if Mayo had won, Brown had an excellent chance of becoming the permanent police chief. "Vic" Zordan's name allegedly wasn't on the first list, but when the board agreed to Ellis' petition, Zordan's name appeared as one of the police chief applicants. Ellis would soon select Zordan as chief, as there was some opposition from several community leaders. It appears that Ellis got who he wanted. For Brown, it was only a matter of time. Now, Brown and his legal team are celebrating their victory, as they, along with the community, were not sure how the board would rule.