State troopers now policing enviro-crimes

The Louisiana State Police have long had reign over our highways and gaming establishments, but now troopers also have a hand in white-collar search warrants and apprehending felons connected to environmental crimes. As state government enters an era of consolidations and mergers, brought about chiefly by a shortfall of money, it should come as no surprise that LSP is now collaborating with the Department of Environmental Quality to enforce violations of the Louisiana Environmental Quality Act. It’s a true partnership, not just collaboration on paper, says State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson. “We will share expertise, training and resources to ensure that Louisiana’s environment is protected and preserved for the future,” he says. In fact, two law enforcement vehicles have already been loaned to DEQ and many of the department’s investigators are in the process of receiving special LSP commissions and training on surveillance techniques, interview and interrogation, firearms, ground fighting and defensive tactics. “This partnership is a perfect example of implementing streamlining practices to make government more efficient,” says DEQ Secretary Harold Leggett. “We have always worked well with the State Police and now we will continue to do so in a more proactive manner.” In order to accomplish these goals most efficiently, Leggett says comprehensive policies are being established statewide. He adds that the support from LSP will assist DEQ in its “mission of enforcing state environmental regulations with regard to promoting water and air quality, while controlling solid and hazardous waste discharges.”—Jeremy Alford