[LA] DA wants to know how Asst. Chief Rogers avoided state charges for battering his wife

...Police Chief Victor Rogers regarding Asst. Police Chief Andre Rogers paying a fine for battering his wife: ..."If you're charged with simple battery, you can go ahead and pay it. ... It's like a speeding ticket"... Arcadia Police Chief Victor Rogers said Andre Rogers paid a fine Monday morning in city court -- a speeded-up time frame that has caught the attention of the D.A.'s office, which was considering handling the case in state district court...

[Where is she? Is she safe?]

POLICE OFFICER GETS EXPEDITED SETTLEMENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE
KTBS
December 2, 2008 01:07 PM
The Bienville Parish district attorney's office is looking into the circumstances surrounding why an assistant police chief in Arcadia was allowed to pay a court fine the first working day after his arrest for hitting his estranged wife. Arcadia Assistant Police Chief Andre Rogers was arrested over the weekend on a simple battery charge. Police said he kicked his estranged wife. Arcadia Police Chief Victor Rogers said Andre Rogers paid a fine Monday morning in city court -- a speeded-up time frame that has caught the attention of the D.A.'s office, which was considering handling the case in state district court. Chief Jones said his assistant did not get preferential treatment by running the case through so fast. There are provisions in the way city court operates that would allow people charged with certain offenses to go ahead and pay their fines, he said. Andre Rogers has been placed on paid leave pending a disciplinary hearing before the City Council next week, the police chief said. [LINK]

ASSISTANT ARCADIA POLICE CHIEF ADMITS BATTERY, PAYS FINE
Shreveport Times, LA
By Vickie Welborn vwelborn@gannett.com
December 3, 2008 2:00 am
ARCADIA — Arcadia's assistant police chief has admitted his guilt in an altercation involving his wife this weekend and has paid a fine. The quick turnaround is prompting a review by the Bienville district attorney's office, which may consider whether to upgrade the charge of simple battery filed Friday night against Andre Rogers. Assistant District Attorney Tammy Jump said she could not comment further. Police Chief Victor Rogers, who is not related to Andre Rogers, said his assistant did not receive any favors by being allowed to resolve the case so quickly. Victor Rogers said simple battery is a misdemeanor and, as such, already has a set fine that can be paid anytime at Town Hall. "If you're charged with simple battery, you can go ahead and pay it. ... It's like a speeding ticket," Victor Rogers said Tuesday. "We've got fines already set up. And if you want to plead guilty, you can come on down and pay it." Arcadia police charged Andre Rogers after his wife called 911 to report he had pulled her from a vehicle and hit her. Bienville sheriff's deputies took the woman to a hospital, where she was treated then released. Andre Rogers was booked into the Bienville Parish Jail and remained there until Saturday morning, when he was released after signing a summons to appear in court. He signed a guilty plea and paid a $500 fine Monday morning. Andre Rogers is suspended with pay until the Town Council takes up disciplinary action during its meeting Tuesday. Victor Rogers said he will make a recommendation that could include termination, demotion or a reduction in pay. The police chief is not anticipating any further action from the district attorney's office. Victor Rogers said Andre Rogers' wife was interviewed by the district attorney's office the night of the incident and the charge could have been upgraded then. "I talked to the DA and they said they didn't have a warrant upgrading the charges," Victor Rogers said. "(Andre Rogers) admitted he was wrong, so I told him to go on and pay the fine. We didn't do him any favors. ... There were no weapons involved. No severe injuries. "(Andre Rogers' wife) gave a statement and wanted to drop charges. I refused to let her do that. We brought the charges so they were going to stay." Andre Rogers, who has been with the Police Department for about 12 years, has no prior disciplinary problems, Victor Rogers said. "But he understands he does have to set an example." [LINK]