Ninth District Metro Councilman Joel Boe’ has issued a press release saying he supports the idea of consolidating law enforcement in Baton Rouge.
Boe’ said merging the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and the Baton Rouge Police Department it would show unification across the parish.
"Hopefully the end result the duplication of services, which saves money if they’re combined, and then in return that money that’s saved can be used to put more money in the field," said Boe’. "And, this isn’t the silver bullet that’s going to solve any crime problems but it’s one of many avenues that can be taken."
Unification, said Boe', would require legislative changes, a new city-parish government plan and voter’s approval.
The council voted to form a committee to study the viability of consolidation, but that committee has not been formed. Boe' wants to jump-start talks of a merger by appointing members to the council.
Boe' said the EBR Sheriff’s Office is willing talk about the idea of a merger, while Mayor-President Kip Holden and the police union are against it.