BATON ROUGE, La. – Several Baton Rouge Police Department officers reportedly submitted requests for PTSD support this week after city officials announced the Louisiana State Police would once again be assisting with the city’s crime problem. While the news sent shockwaves through the department, it wasn’t the crime surge triggering trauma—it was the phrase “State Police returning to the agency,” which many officers say brought back vivid memories of departmental chaos, policy overhauls, and leadership trauma they’ve worked hard to suppress.
“I started packing a go-bag,” said one officer. “You hear ‘State Police returning’ and assume it’s the beginning of the end again.”
The source of the anxiety? Lingering trauma from the last time a state trooper was brought in to “fix” the department — a legendary unraveling marked by fleeing officers, plummeting morale, and a leadership structure so convoluted, most officers weren’t sure if they worked for BRPD or a multi-level marketing scheme.
But this time, officers were relieved to learn the troopers won’t be stepping into leadership roles — just hitting the streets to patrol along side them.
“They’re not taking over anything?” one sergeant asked, cautiously. “No reorgs? No surprise promotions? No kicking any pro-police media out of press conferences?”
City officials confirmed it’s strictly patrol support. “Just boots on the ground,” the mayor said. “Not boots behind the desks.”
In a show of gratitude, BRPD officers reportedly offered the troopers coffee, a map of the city, and a firm ‘please stay out of headquarters.’
