Yahoo Finance Ed Orgeron lends support, 3 officers on leave after LSU's Koy Moore alleges police violations
The Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) placed three officers on leave Monday after LSU wide receiver Koy Moore said he was harassed and violated by officers over the weekend, The Advocate reported.
The department launched an internal affairs investigation based on claims in a tweet sent by the freshman Sunday afternoon. Both LSU football coach Ed Orgeron and athletic director Scott Woodward addressed the situation on Monday, voicing their support of Moore.
Baton Rouge PD opens investigation into Moore claims
BRPD spokesman Sgt. L'Jean McKneely Jr. said details of the incident are unclear, though they do know it took place in a parking garage on Saturday night, per the Advocate. There are no additional details from the department, other than statements promising a thorough investigation.
Moore shared a graphic on Twitter about the incident. He said he was approached by officers who pulled their guns on him “assuming I had a gun and drugs.”
“I was violated numerous times even as going as far as trying to unzip my pants in search of a weapon that I repeatedly told them I did not have. As I tried to go live for video documentation of the harassment they snatched my phone. I couldn’t lost my life and I know for a fact nothing would’ve happened to the guys who did it.”
Moore, a four-star Rivals.com recruit, said he doesn’t know if he would have gotten away from the incident alive if he weren’t an LSU football player.
McKneely said no formal complaints were filed at the time of the tweet, per the Advocate. The department will be reviewing police reports and bodycam footage while also interviewing officers and witnesses.
LSU coach, AD support Moore
Oregeron acknowledged the situation on Sunday in a tweet.
My thoughts on Koy Moore’s situation pic.twitter.com/Cqt7d4Vv1a
— Coach Ed Orgeron (@Coach_EdOrgeron) November 9, 2020
He further discussed it with media during his scheduled video call on Monday. Orgeron said they had been in contact with Moore, his mother and his brother and “are doing everything to support Koy and his family.”
Woodward also released a statement of support for Moore and having “full faith BRPD will conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter.”
Statement from LSU AD Scott Woodward on Saturday Incident pic.twitter.com/C0YzMZ2Bxw
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) November 9, 2020
Orgeron on what he’s learned from last few months
Orgeron addressed the Black Lives Matter movement with his team in the offseason, telling them “I will not tolerate racism” and that he supports all of his players. He was asked about those comments and what he’s learned in the months since that helps him handle the current situation.
“[To] listen, to be open-minded, to understand there is some wrongdoings out there [like] social injustice and racism. And I’m totally against that. I came out and said it,” he said. “I support my players, just like I support myself. I was hurt hearing the things that went on. I’m not happy about it. But I know that [the police] chief is going to do the proper investigation. I just want the right thing to happen. And from what he told me and stuff like that, I just felt bad. I felt bad that it happened to one of our players.”
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