STATE OFFICERS ASSISTING IN LOUISIANA

NEWS RELEASE

STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HEADED TO GULFCOAST

(ATLANTA)—The State of Georgia is sending 102 state law enforcement officers to Louisiana to assist with law enforcement duties in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  The convoy of state officers from the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Department of Corrections left for Hammond, Louisiana Sunday morning.

            “The Georgia officers will be assisting law enforcement in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas,” said Lt. Colonel Arthur White, Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.  “The group consists of 41 Georgia State Troopers, 40 Natural Resource rangers, 11 GBI agents and 10 corrections officers.”

            Lt. Colonel White said the Louisiana State Police asked for Georgia law enforcement assistance and when the call went out for volunteers, the response was immediate and overwhelming.  “Each one of the officers assisting in Louisiana fully realizes the challenges they will be facing,” he said.  “They also realize that should Georgia ever need assistance of this magnitude from other states, their fellow officers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama will be there to assist us.”

            Expenses for the trip are being reimbursed to Georgia by Louisiana through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  The troopers will be deployed for two weeks.  “If assistance is still needed after the first two weeks, we will evaluate the request at that time,” Lt. Colonel White said.

            While on the detail, the Georgia State Patrol will be the lead agency and Lt. Bill Bryant will be the officer in charge. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 4, 2005