Deputy Chief Troy Lawrence Sr. Indicted in “Brave Cave” Cover-Up

🚨 Deputy Chief Troy Lawrence Sr. Indicted in “Brave Cave” Cover-Up

BATON ROUGE, LA. — Deputy Chief Troy Lawrence Sr., second-in-command at the Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD), has been indicted on multiple charges stemming from a May 2020 incident in a concealed detention facility known as the "Brave Cave."

📅 Incident & Allegations (September 2020)

During a drug-related arrest, officers from BRPD’s specialized anti-street crime unit took the suspect to a bathroom inside a precinct station—part of the now-defunct "Brave Cave." There, the suspect was allegedly forcibly undressed, beaten, and stunned with a Taser, actions captured by body-worn cameras wafb.com+15theguardian.com+15cbsnews.com+15.

Following internal review, Lieutenant Lawrence Sr. and other supervisors allegedly orchestrated the deletion or concealment of incriminating footage to prevent accountability .

🔍 Federal & Local Response

• FBI Investigation: The Civil Rights Division launched a federal probe, citing possible constitutional violations involving excessive force and obstruction of justice in a concealed facility en.wikipedia.org+3theguardian.com+3cbsnews.com+3.
• Facility Closure: Mayor Sharon Weston Broome immediately ordered the shutdown of the "Brave Cave" and dissolved the entire Brave Street Crimes Unit wafb.com+15apnews.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15.

⚖️ Indictment Details (June 2024)

A grand jury handed down several charges against Lawrence Sr. on June 25, 2024:

• 4 counts of malfeasance in office
• 1 count of criminal conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice
• 1 count of obstruction of justice cbsnews.com+5wafb.com+5wafb.com+5

Four officers in total, including Lawrence Sr., entered not guilty pleas on August 15, 2024, and remain on administrative leave theadvocate.com+8wafb.com+8wafb.com+8.

🏛️ Legal & Community Repercussions

• Public Trust Eroded: The "Brave Cave" revelations echo past BRPD controversies—such as the 2016 Alton Sterling shooting—further eroding community confidence in law enforcement wafb.com+15apnews.com+15theguardian.com+15.
• Calls for Oversight: Mayor Broome has called for an independent civilian review board to increase transparency and accountability in the wake of these scandals theadvocate.com+3theguardian.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3.
• Civil Rights Litigation: Several lawsuits have already been filed by alleged victims, seeking redress for violations of their constitutional rights tied to the Brave unit’s activities theguardian.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2theguardian.com+2.

🧭 What Happens Next

• Awaiting Trial: Trial dates have not yet been set. Legal teams will face off over the allegations of forced suppression of evidence and excessive force.
• Investigative Oversight: The FBI continues to review internal practices within BRPD’s special units for potential federal charges beyond state-level indictments.
• Policy Reform Pressure: The case has heightened demands for structural changes in department oversight, body camera protocol, and unit transparency.

💡 Conclusion

Deputy Chief Troy Lawrence Sr.'s indictment marks a rare moment when high-ranking police leadership is criminally charged for allegedly covering up violent misconduct within an undercover facility. With federal scrutiny, civil suits, and intense public pressure, the spotlight now turns to how BRPD—and the broader criminal justice system—will restore trust and reform institutional failings.

Stay tuned as this story develops, with trial dates, court decisions, and investigative findings still forthcoming.