Baton Rouge Chief of Police TJ Morris reflects on his first year in the role, noting how quickly the time has passed. He expresses pride in leading the Baton Rouge Police Department, which he considers one of the best in the state and country. Despite this, he acknowledges there is still work to be done to achieve his goals.
Morris discusses the challenges of balancing administrative duties with implementing his vision for the department. He mentions that while he has made progress, it took time to get his footing and start addressing his priorities effectively.
The conversation shifts to crime statistics, revealing that Baton Rouge saw an increase in homicides in 2023, with 84 homicides within city limits, three more than the previous year. Morris attributes this spike to gang-related violence and retaliatory shootings. In response, the department formed a Special Investigation Division to target gangs and drug-related activities more effectively.
Morris highlights some achievements of this division, including the largest fentanyl seizure in state history and securing a grand jury indictment for gang involvement. He emphasizes that these efforts did not reduce the number of officers on the streets but involved reorganizing existing divisions to work more collaboratively.
The chief also addresses the issue of juvenile crime, noting a troubling increase in young offenders. In 2023, nine juveniles aged 17 and younger were arrested for homicide. This number rose to 16 in 2024 after the state legislature redefined juveniles as those aged 16 and younger. Morris underscores the severity of this issue by mentioning a recent incident where two teenagers previously arrested for homicide were involved in another shooting during a Christmas parade.
Overall, Morris remains committed to improving public safety and achieving his goals for the Baton Rouge Police Department while navigating the complexities of his role.