The Baton Rouge Police Department has announced the arrest
of an officer from their department today.
A press release states that Taylor DeRousselle, 24, Geismar,
was charged with misdemeanor Simple Battery.
Investigators say DeRousselle was involved in a physical
altercation while off duty at The Varsity Theater on September 7th. He is
accused of punching an employee of the establishment in the face.
According to the report, a bouncer at The Varsity saw
DeRousselle involved in an argument with another person. The bouncer says he
broke up the argument and attempted to escort DeRousselle out. Before he could
make it to the door, DeRousselle flashed his Police ID and shouted “I am a
fucking cop, I will arrest everyone here.”
The report states that the victim raised his arms in an
effort to show no aggression, but a few seconds later, DeRousselle took a deep
breath and struck the man once in the left side of his face with a closed fist.
A witness on the scene who observed the incident
corroborated the victim’s account. The victim presented medical records to
investigators showing that he had a hairline fracture to his left cheek.
During questioning DeRousselle admitted to striking the
victim.
DeRousselle has been a Baton Rouge Police Officer for seven
months and is currently assigned to Uniform Patrol, 4th District.
He was arrested this morning and booked into the East Baton
Rouge Parish Prison. He has also been placed on administrative leave pending an
internal investigation.