Pubdate: Fri, 28 Jan 2005
Source: Advertiser, The (Lafayette, LA)
Copyright: 2005 The Lafayette Daily Advertiser
Contact:  http://www.theadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1670
Author: William Johnson, Louisiana Gannett News
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)

UNACCOUNTED DRUG-BUY MONEY RIPE FOR ABUSE

Caillier's Use of Funds Still Under Question.

OPELOUSAS - Opelousas Police Chief Larry Caillier has been
unapologetic in his response to auditors' concerns about $44,379 in
"drug-buy" money, saying the expenses aren't documented because of the
confidential nature of undercover narcotics work.

But other law enforcement agencies have developed procedures for
tracking these kinds of funds without compromising their
investigations or informants.

Laura Balthazar, chief deputy of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's
Office, said the Sheriff's Office has had a written policy in place
since the creation of its narcotics unit in 1988.

"We went to the Lafayette narcotic unit and other agencies and
designed our policy after their plans," Balthazar said.

The drug-buy money, which comes from a city appropriation, is among
the largest amounts of any of the findings cited in the audit, which
was released Monday.

"The Police Department maintains no records or documentation of any
kind on how these funds are expended," the audit report stated.

The auditors argue such a lack of documentation creates a serious
potential for abuse.

Attorney Elbert Guillory, who represents Caillier, defends the
department.

"In keeping with our commitments to the informants involved in this
system, all transactions are handled with the strictest confidence. No
names, social security numbers or other identifying information has
been kept," Guillory wrote in his formal response to auditors. "At no
time will OPD compromise the safety and security of one single drug
informant or their family."

He said, however, that the department is reviewing how other agencies
handle the issue and is open to making procedural changes.

The auditors agreed with the need for confidentially, but not the lack
of records.

"We agree that the disbursal of drug-buy money is a confidential
activity; however, this should not mean that the department does not
document these expenditures. ... It is a common practice of law
enforcement organizations to have procedures for money paid to
informants," the audit stated.

Balthazar said she understands the need for secrecy, but said she
believes the system her office uses protects informants while still
assuring that the money is spent properly.

In the Sheriff's Office policy, each informant, after a thorough
review, is assigned a number. All mention of that person in police
reports and correspondence uses only that number.

The number doesn't mean the person isn't known. Behind that number is
a folder in a locked cabinet containing a confidential informant
agreement, a photograph, history on the individual and expense sheets
signed by the informant.

Only the sheriff, the chief deputy and section supervisor have access
to this file.

Every time an informant is paid, he or she must sign a
receipt.

"The informant identifier number, the case number and the case agent's
signature must be included, along with the total amount paid the
informant," Balthazar said.

She said the department takes one other important precaution against
abuse - a frequent change of the head of the narcotics department.

"We must have had six or seven supervisors," Balthazar said.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake