Captain vindicated, fired officer fights for reinstatement in chaotic Bastrop Civil Service Board meeting

Bastrop, La. (KNOE) — From allegations of a captain threatening a citizen to an officer struggling to keep his job, it was a chaotic meeting of the Bastrop Public Service Board.

“He grabbed his gun,” said Ernesto Releford, who accused Captain Carl Givens of grabbing his gun during a verbal altercation in December. “They had to grab him and hold him.”

At a February 17 meeting, veteran Bastrop police officer Carl Givens responded to accusations that he threatened a citizen after a previous session.

“At no time did I ever tap my gun or make a move towards my gun,” Givens said emphatically. “Nobody ever held me back.”

Police Chief Dewayne Reed and Director of Public Works Ronald Wilhite witnessed what they called a verbal altercation. They testified that Givens was telling the truth.

“I saw that it might lead to something other than a verbal exchange, and I gave him the direct order to stop, and he stopped,” Chief Reed told the council.

The board unanimously agreed to dismiss the allegations against Givens.

Next, the council heard the appeal hearing of longtime officer Keesonya Lynch. She was fired in January after a payroll fraud investigation. The allegations were investigated by Louisiana State Police, who found no wrongdoing.

His lawyer claims that his rights were violated during the investigation.

“She was not informed of the nature of the investigation at the start of the questioning,” said Monroe-based attorney James Rodd Jr. “She was never told that she could be represented by a lawyer.”

Michael DuBos represented Bastrop Mayor Betty Alford-Olive. He says Lynch was only interviewed by LSP, not the city.

“The attorney spoke to the officer to be briefed on the nature,” DuBos said. “It’s all about the officer’s interrogation. Ms. Lynch was not interviewed during the investigation.

Two board members agreed that Lynch’s rights had been violated, which would render his dismissal null and void. The other two members disagreed. Civil service law requires that Lynch’s appeal be postponed for a verdict to be reached.

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