Officer may face disciplinary action in jail death

Posted: Dec 13, 2009 11:36 PM by Associated Press
Updated: Dec 13, 2009 11:36 PM

OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) - Opelousas Police Chief Perry Gallow says he'll propose disciplinary action against an officer who was on duty when an inmate was beaten to death in a cell earlier this year.

Gallow also is expected to release his report next month on proposed safety measures at the city jail in response to the attack on Brian G. Armstrong, who authorities say was beaten in his cell by two other inmates in September.

Gallow said the disciplinary action against Lt. Mark Simien will be for violating department policy, not for the death. He says Simien was the shift supervisor on duty at the time of the incident and failed to patrol the jail every half-hour. Simien was placed on administrative suspension.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Topics: OPELOUSAS, Police, Chief, Perry, Gallow, Brian G. Armstrong, Lt. Mark Simien