Despite ruling, Boudreaux still not back on job

Despite having a judge stop a Civil Service Board investigation into allegations of misconduct on Friday, Houma Police Chief Pat Boudreaux has not returned to his post.

Division A District Judge George Larke found that the investigation would have violated Boudreaux’s right to due process. He also suggested that Boudreaux’s supervisor, Parish President Michel Claudet, should investigate complaints against him.

Claudet said since the judge’s order did not dispose of the civil complaints, Boudreaux would not be reinstated as police chief.

“I haven’t decided how the investigation will be conducted,” he said. “I’m meeting with legal council (the board’s attorney Stan Duval), and we should know by (tonight).”

Claudet said Boudreaux would not only have to clear the Civil Service complaints, but the federal sexual harassment lawsuits filed against him and the parish by four female police department employees before he could return to work.

Getting all four lawsuits dismissed could take years.

“That is what I have been advised by legal counsel,” Claudet said. “All these matters have to be resolved.”

In May, high-ranking police officers wrote nine letters to the Houma Municipal Police and Fire Civil Service Board accusing Boudreaux of misusing equipment and failing to properly investigate officers’ actions. A former parole officer alleged that he made inappropriate sexual comments to her for nearly six years.

In September, four female police department employees, two of whom wrote to the Civil Service Board, filed sexual harassment lawsuits. They allege numerous sexually offensive comments and unwanted physical contact by Boudreaux during his tenure.

Boudreaux has denied all the claims, calling them “categorically untrue.” He has been on paid administrative leave since July 3. Claudet named Lt. Todd Duplantis as interim chief of police.

Larke had suspended the investigation in July after Boudreaux’s attorney, Charles Dirks of Baton Rouge, filed a petition arguing that the investigation jeopardized the chief’s constitutional rights because the board would have heard an appeal of any decision it made.

Dirks also argued that, while state law called for the Civil Service Board to investigate complaints, the Houma board – unlike those in other jurisdictions – does not have clearly-defined procedures for such investigations.

Boudreaux said he should have returned to work Monday because the letters were also addressed to Claudet, who had 60 days to investigate.

“In accordance with the Police Officer’s Bill of Rights, I should be put back to work,” he said. “It’s been eight months.”

Duval said Larke’s ruling does not mean the complaints lodged against Boudreaux will disappear.

“Since a complaint has been made to the board, an investigation has to take place,” Duval said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.