Lafayette, LA ,Officer under investigation

COPS GONE BAD
OFF THE WIRE
BY: J.J. Alcantara
Source: theadvertiser.com
jalcantara@theadvertiser.com
Cpl. Oren Hayden of the Lafayette Police Department has been placed on paid leave after a complaint was filed against him.
Cpl. Paul Mouton, Lafayette police spokesman, said the complaint was filed Nov. 10 to Police Chief Jim Craft about a possible policy violation.
"As a result, he was put on administrative leave immediately," Mouton said.
Any further disciplinary actions will not be made until the investigation has been completed and "until facts can be brought forth and evidence can see if he actually violated policies or not."
Mouton said he could not discuss the nature of the complaint other than the possible violations of the Lafayette Police Department's policies and procedures.
Internal Affairs is handling the investigation, and any and all evidence or facts will be given to Craft.
Hayden, who has been with the department for 10 years, was assigned to the Crime Scene Investigations unit more than three years ago.
Hayden has had two civil suits filed against him and the department for possibly using excessive force during arrests made in June and July 2004.
The suits, both filed in June 2005, said Hayden beat up Lance J. Leblanc and Kurt J. Trahan at Nite Town, a downtown club.
A judge cleared Hayden of Leblanc's complaint in June 2008. Trahan's case is still pending.
Mouton said because the suits against Hayden were civil in nature, they "would not affect his job."
"There are certain rules we have to follow as part of the civil service and the chief will apply those rules until a decision is rendered," Mouton said.