Baton Rouge police chief says the next chief has some changes to make

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – Baton Rouge Police Department Chief Murphy Paul shared some final words of wisdom on Monday, Nov. 13 after serving over five years in office.

“We’re not the smartest ones in the room. We have to actively listen and that means you have to put your ego to the side to listen,” Paul said.

Paul said he loved all the final police chief candidates.

“I think is a process. I think we can all agree when you have 20 plus highly motivated a lot of talent and it’s narrowed down to five,” Paul said.

A crime trend analysis reported that Baton Rouge has seen a drop in crime.

“A 44% reduction of homicides over the past two years and a 28% decrease in nonfatal shootings in 2023,” Paul said.

But Paul said there are areas that still need improvement.

“One of the key issues we talk about is recruit and retention,” Paul said.

East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome released a statement about the candidates running and said Paul would be, “extending his service at the Baton Rouge Police Department beyond his retirement date of November 3 to support a thorough evaluation of candidates and smooth transition.”