LAFAYETTE, LA – A district judge ordered the Lafayette Police Department and Acting Chief of Police Scott Morgan to cease, desist, and stay disciplinary action against Lafayette Police Corporal David Stanley today according to court records.

In the petition filed by Louisiana Union of Police Associations’ attorney James E. Sudduth, III of Sudduth & Associates, LLC out of Lake Charles, Louisiana, it is alleged that Corporal Stanley, a member of the Police Association of Louisiana – Local #905 who also served as President of the union from June 2019 until July 28, 2020, is the subject of retaliatory action by the Lafayette Police Department for exercising his constitutionally protected rights. The petition alleges that Corporal Stanley was subjected to discipline in the form of an eighty hour suspension without pay in addition to being transferred out of his K-9 officer role for making two off-duty social media post on a public Facebook page operated by Police Association of Louisiana – Local #905 / Louisiana Union of Police Associations, in his capacity as President.

The first post scrutinized by the Lafayette Police Department occurred on May 15, 2020 and contained a video approximately one minute long voicing opposition to Louisiana House Bill 577 introduced by Louisiana State Representative for District 31, Jonathan Goudeau, earlier this year.

The second post scrutinized by the Lafayette Police Department occurred on May 18, 2020 describing a traffic stop which occurred on I-10 in which the Lafayette Police Department apprehended a dangerous felon wanted in Florida and confiscated large amounts of cocaine and cash. Both social media posts were made to the Facebook page operated by Police Association of Louisiana – Local #905 / Louisiana Union of Police Associations.

On May 22, 2020 following the post, Corporal Stanley was issued an internal memorandum informing him he was under investigation by the Lafayette Police Department for violations of policies concerning social media, public information, media relations and public statements/news releases. Corporal Stanley was compelled to provide a statement to the Lafayette Police Department in which he outlined that both social media posts were made by Police Association of Louisiana – Local #905 / Louisiana Union of Police Associations to the Facebook page operated for their benefit and done in his capacity as President of the Union.

The issue before the court was whether Corporal Stanley would suffer immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage before the Lafayette Police Department and Acting Chief Scott Morgan could be heard in opposition. The court granted in part Corporal Stanley’s request by staying any suspension against Cpl. Stanley.

Fifteenth Judicial District Court Judge Thomas I. Duplantier signed the order commanding that any suspension of Corporal David Stanley be stayed. Judge Duplantier, who qualified for another term in office and went unopposed this year, is now serving in his sixth term on the bench.

The court has ordered the Lafayette Police Department and Acting Chief Scott Morgan show cause at a hearing to be held on September 1, 2020 at 10:00 AM as to why the Temporary Restraining Order issued today should not become a Preliminary Injunction.

If you have any questions, please contact James E Sudduth III at (833) 783-3884.

Sincerely,
Louisiana Union of Police Associations

Follow the link below to read the full details of the petition:

David Stanley vs. Lafayette Police Department

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