The fallout from the Louisiana State Troopers’ Association’s (LTSA) endorsement of John Bel Edwards for governor continues with a succession of late-breaking developments, LouisianaVoice has learned.
An undetermined number of troopers from Troop I have reportedly demanded the resignation of LTSA president Jay O’Quinn and David Young, the organization’s executive director, over the endorsement.
Troop I, headquartered in Lafayette, encompasses 5,686 square miles and 8,586 highway miles in eight parishes: Lafayette, Evangeline, St. Landry, Acadia, St. Martin, Vermilion, Iberia and St. Mary.
“It’s not that I don’t support Edwards, because I do,” said one state trooper following last week’s endorsement shortly before the general election that pitted Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter against Democrat State Rep. John Bel Edwards. “I’ve never seen the state police turned into such a political machine,” he added.
As evidence of the LSTA’s morphing into a “political machine,” LouisianaVoice has obtained an email from O’Quinn to select state troopers in which he asked the membership to vote on a proposal that the LSTA write a letter to Edwards requesting that State Police Commander Mike Edmonson be retained in the new administration.
Such a letter would clearly fall under the description of lobbying, something state civil service employees are strictly forbidden from doing.
Edwards easily defeated Vitter by a 56-44 percentage point vote and will be inaugurated governor on Jan. 11.
Meanwhile, LouisianaVoice has learned that the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association is also supporting Edmonson’s reappointment as head of state police.
O’Quinn only recently was elevated to the LSTA presidency after past president Frank Besson was promoted to captain’s rank. No one with a rank above lieutenant may serve as president of the association.
As executive director of the organization, Young essentially serves a paid lobbyist for state police, a perk not afforded state civil service employees. He called the endorsement of Edwards “rare” for the organization, but others are calling it a precedent.
A separate source said that Young had nothing to do with the email and in fact was opposed to and advised against the earlier endorsement of Edwards.
And while state police are not civil service employees in the strictest sense of the term, there is a well-defined list of activities in which they are prohibited from participating. These include:
- Soliciting votes or contributions for any political candidate, organization or cause.
- Making political contributions.
- Making a public political statement or address.
- Wearing a campaign badge, ribbon, or insignia.
- Distributing political campaign cards, posters or buttons.
- Attending a social function which is designed as a fund raiser where a contribution or ticket is required, even if a ticket is offered to the employee free of charge.
- Becoming a candidate for office, serving as a member of any political committee or taking part in the management of a political party or organization.
- Publicly displaying political literature, placards, bumper stickers or signs in or on any personal property (except by non-civil service employed spouse on community property).
- Actively participating in an effort to recall from office an elected official (other than by signing a recall petition).
- Becoming a candidate for any state, parish, municipal or other political office (other than position of classified employee serving on state civil service commission).
O’Quinn, in his email to the membership, wrote:
As we move forward, I would like your input on a potential issue. We have a board meeting next week, and this topic may be on the table since it has been discussed before. Please reply via email and let me know how you vote. Also, please spread the word to other affiliate members so they can vote if they choose. My email is jayoquinn@bellsouth.net. I will take votes until next Sunday, December 6. I will then let you know the results and vote accordingly if this issue arises.
Here is the question. Are you in favor or opposed to the LSTA writing a letter to Governor-elect John Bel Edwards asking Governor Edwards to retain Colonel Edmonson in his current position? Put another way for clarification: Do you want the LSTA to write a letter to the Governor asking that we retain our current Colonel?
I prefer email because it’s easier to keep track, but I won’t disclose how any single individual voted, nor are you required to vote at all. Please respond. Thanks.
Jay
“I am hearing that 85 percent of the troopers do not want Edmonson to stay,” our source, who asked to remain anonymous, said. “I am also hearing (that) Edmonson asked for the LSTA to send the letter,” he added. (Edmonson recently was reported to have said those who speak to or comment on LouisianaVoice anonymously were “cowards,” but with several examples of reprisals already being reported, anonymity is understandable.)
The second source said the email, which was sent mostly to members of Troop L in Mandeville, was not composed by O’Quinn but that it originated with Edmonson and came down through the chain of command to be sent out over his name.
Edmonson, for his part, denied that he had anything to do with the LSTA endorsement of Edwards or that he initiated the effort to send the letter. He also said he had never called anyone a coward. “It’s no secret that I would like another four years at my job,” he said, “but I would never ask someone to write a letter like that or to do anything on my behalf. This has to be the governor’s decision and I would never attempt to influence him in such a way.”
“As for O’Quinn saying he won’t disclose how anyone votes, that’s a joke and it’s precisely the reason that very few troopers will even respond,” the first source said. “They know full well if they vote ‘no,’ it will come back to bite them.
“I hope Edwards won’t buckle to pressure in his decision on a state police commander,” he added. “Politics does not need to be a consideration in this process and this solicitation of a vote to send the proposed letter is blatant politics at its very worst.”
Louisiana Voice 
How can Edwards talk about honor and honesty and then consider keeping Edmondson. If he keeps Edmondson everything he said during his campaign would be a lie. I voted for Edwards based on what he claimed would be best for Louisiana. If he read any posts on LAVoice he shouldn’t give that decision a second thought.
It sounds like he needs to be occupying a jail cell. What a corrupt joke of a man!
Say no to Edmondson!
Time for a change. Why keep Jindal’s dirty laundry. 85% is lowballing the number that want change.
Edmonson? Integrity? Dear Governor Edwards, remember the Edmonson retirement legislation? Anyone other than such a sleaze bag as Jindal would have fired Edmonson and his bag man Charles Dupy on the spot and demoted that real piece of work, Neil Riser. The very thought of keeping Edmonson is repugnant. Clean the slate. Scour the commode. Make Edmonson’s departure item #1 on Day #1.
Edmonson? Integrity? That’s oil and water if ever I’ve seen it. Just remember the Edmonson Retirement Benefit fiasco that had it not been for Louisiana Voice would have never come to light. Then look at other Louisiana Voice posts of the complete out-of-control mess that Edmonson has made of the once honorable LSP. Edmonson will only serve to embarrass the new administration that has pledged openness and forthrightness. Edmonson’s departure should be item #1 on day#1 of the new Edwards regime.
Oh, and do not forget that Edmonson has pledged not to take the additional benefit he was awarded by our idiotic legislature. Make certain that promise is kept or the legislation awarding the benefit is rescinded.
Senator Dan Claitor, used his own money to file the suit against the retirement provision that was then declared unconstitutional. He subsequently submitted SB 2 this last year to undo the provisions of the unconstitutional attempt by Edmonson, Dupuy, Riser, et al. That bill passed all committees and full floor votes with no opposition. It was signed by Jindal on 6/19/2015 and was effective immediately so we don’t have to trust Edmonson’s word. It would not surprise me if there was another strategy that just hasn’t come to light yet.
Great. Thanks for this information regarding the resolution to this sordid matter
By this act alone, if Edmonson is behind this, he should not be retained in his position. All Gov-elect Edwards needs to do is cite this effort as being the reason for not keeping him.
This isn’t a new issue. When the Sheriffs’ Association endorsed Edwards they not only agreed on Edmonson, but also on Jimmy LeBlanc and Burl Cain being reappointed. Edmonson has been a surrogate for the sheriffs since the sheriffs backed Jindal for his first term. Under Edmonson, State Police and the Troopers’ Association has become nothing more than a political tool for Edmonson and the sheriffs. After Edmonson’s attempted unconstitutional Retirement Enhancement (first uncovered by LouisianaVoice) Edwards told State Police retirees that he was appalled at Edmonson’s “dishonest” actions in “deceiving the Legislators” and was keeping a close eye on him to ensure he tried nothing else. Fast forward to his Governor race and he has apparently forgotten all this because of political expediency which seems more important than his “Code.” When recently confronted, he said he has made no commitments either way. Several Sheriffs however have said privately, “The deal was done.”
This was my primary reason for not having trust in Edwards. Apparently his words are not matched by his actions.
As for the reporting in this article… I am told by several inside the administration and the LSTA Board that it is extremely accurate with one exception… the number of Troopers supporting Edmonson is well below 15% and all agreed is more in the 2% to 3% range. Those who support him are those whose careers have been greatly enhanced through promotion and are dependent on him. The rest just hope someone will come drag him, kicking and screaming, away from his free house and butler at HQ. They don’t have a say but every contact has expressed appreciation to the Retired Troopers who have called for Edmonson to be removed and to LouisianaVoice for bringing this issue to the forefront. State Police and our Troopers deserve better. So do our citizens.
I served State Police and the citizens of Louisiana proudly for 28 years but now am hesitant to tell people because our badge and agency has been so tarnished by politics for personal gain. I also served as a board member of the Louisiana State Troopers’ Association for 8 years. I was the elected State President for 2 years. The LSTA has never in its history seen this level of corruption. Not only were the actions of 6 or 7 in endorsing Edwards arguably improper under the State Police Commission Rules but to compound it by lobbying for Edmonson to stay is unfathomable. It is apparent that Edmonson and his departmental hacks have intimidated and coerced a select few to risk their careers just so he can stay on the public payroll. Unfortunately, he and his associates have dragged the individual troopers, the State Police, and the Trooper’s Association along as bargaining chips.
I personally challenge Governor Jindal to immediately remove Edmonson and Governor-elect Edwards to prove me wrong and show the Honor, Honesty, and Code he talks about so much. Otherwise, he is just another Politician with a catchy campaign phrase.
If anyone has been following the stories on the LouisianaVoice, either Edmonson has failed to notice the corruption amongst his department, has retaliated against the people that have exposed it, or is complicit in the coverup. The Barry Branton retaliation story comes to mind and the coverup for Guillory who was promoted after Lying about drug abuse and other misdeeds. JBE start with a clean slate.
JBE, I voted for you for you because of your integrity. Edmonson has no integrity. If you do the research, you will find this is fact. I have yet to find a single trooper who trusts him as their leader. He is an embarrassment to the badge but no one can investigate him because he has been accountable to no one for 8 years. Every decision he makes is for his own benefit. These decisions are why he has the political power he has gained over the past 8 years. Please end our disgrace and start rebuilding LSP with a leader who is committed to something other than his own ambitions.
It should be obvious by the uproar over this , that the retirees and troopers want him gone. They want a real consensus on this; post a real survey here and let them vote without fear of retaliation. The cover ups and promotions are out of hand. JBE said he was lied to when the amendment was passed; does he want to be lied to again? It seems like the LSTA members have been lied to.
All of this is just skimming the surface of the corruption and impropriety that Edmonson has been associated with through the years. In the eyes of the troopers, both he and his henchman Dupuy and all of his inner circle are vile and self serving. They have gone unchecked by Jindal who simply didn’t care. What gives the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Assn. a say in who the head of LSP will be much less allows them to have as much influence as they now have over state police operations? All they should require is someone they don’t have a problem working with. Governor-elect John Bel Edwards, we who helped you get elected are watching this fiasco. Edmonson needs to go and you have not done anything if you replace him with one of his inner circle over at LSP. I am sure that there are decent and capable people available to replace him but he has threatened and intimidated them into not putting their resume’ forward. To be honest with you Mr. Edwards, that department is so screwed up a capable retired trooper should be offered the job in order to clean it up. We are watching you, John Bel Edwards. Do something about this and get the LSTA out of the business of brokering power. Your success and re-election could depend on it. This bunch is going to embarrass you, I promise.
After spending nearly 25 years in the LSP, it was Edmonson’s cronyism, and political manipulations for his benefit that made my decision to retire.
The same political power play that resulted in Edmonson’s retirement amendment is seen daily by the Troopers across the State. Of course after 8 years they are fed up! The political influence asserted by the Sheriff’s, Chiefs of Police, and Legislators has cost the Agency’s ability to function as an Independent Law Enforcement Agency. Their political influence over LSP was given to them by Mike Edmonson for the purposes of his own political survival. In the process, the outside political influence has become so involved, that it now affects the day to day operations of the department, including promotions, transfers, disciplinary matters, and a distortion of transparency regarding
LSP.
The cronyism of Edmonson promotions of his inner circle and their family members is nothing less than Nepotism. His residential perks and use of State Facilities and Inmates for his benefit is unacceptable. The hiring, promotions, transfers, and decisions of disciplinary matters being influenced by Sheriff’s, Chiefs of Police, and Legislators is unacceptable. The sweeping of matters under the LSP Internal Affairs Rug instead of criminal charges for misconduct is unacceptable. The promotions of senior command staff after sustained criminal implications is unacceptable.
And now the LSTA through its Board of Directors has become a political lobby. The Board of Directors is comprised of active Troopers. This leans toward policy and ethics violations.
I hope our newly elected Governor will take a hard look at this matter before simply doing what the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association wants.
Where is the AG, IG, or DOJ. I have seen the documents posted on this blog. Any other business would be in big trouble with leadership like this. The last 8 years is why I spent a lot of money and bought my time. People say when good cops do nothing they are just as bad as the ones doing it. They destroy the good ones and make them examples.
Edmondson “would never ask someone to write a letter” to get him 4 more years just like he had no idea that Neil Riser was slipping in a mystery amendment to make his irrevocable DROP decision revocable & get him an extra $55,000 a year for retirement. That’s what’s still stuck in my craw about Edmondson. He should go.
I read that Jindal took millions of dollars from the State Police budget (instead of DOA) to pay for travel, lodging, food and over-time for the security in his campaign. And the Legislature finally in 2015 (when Jindal’s power over them was waning) prevented that in the new budget, but Jindal line-item vetoed it back in.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of New Orleans has been begging Jindal for years to keep State Troopers in the city, but their budget was too tight, so they were removed.
So we had a situation where criminals were machine gunning children in New Orleans parks, while troopers were overseeing Jindal’s wining and dining donors along the East Coast.