Municipal Fire Police Civil Service Board Meeting – September 22, 2025

The Baton Rouge Municipal Fire Police Civil Service Board met on September 22, 2025, to conduct routine business, set hearing dates for pending appeals, and hold a full disciplinary appeal hearing for Corporal Janelle Robinson Woodard. The board elected a new chair, approved two agenda amendments, and ultimately deadlocked 2-2 on whether to modify the five-day suspension imposed by the Baton Rouge Police Department, causing the matter to be continued to October 27, 2025, at 1:00 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Election of New Chair: The board voted unanimously (4-0) to amend the agenda and elect Attorney Joshua Newville as the new chair, replacing Dr. Robinson who had retired after 12 years of service.
• Agenda Amendment – Examination Call: The board unanimously approved an amendment to call for an examination for Baton Rouge Fire Department Chief Fire Safety Officer.
• Agenda Approval: The agenda, as amended, was approved unanimously.
• Minutes: The minutes from the August 25, 2025, meeting were approved unanimously.
• Personnel Action Forms: A motion to approve personnel action forms for Baton Rouge Fire and Police Departments passed unanimously.
• Call for Examinations: The board unanimously approved calling for examinations for Baton Rouge Fire Department Public Information Officer and Chief Fire Safety Officer.
• Notifications: The board received notifications of provisional and substitute appointments for Fire Public Information Officer positions without requiring action.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered before the agenda was taken up. Later, during the appeal hearing, no members of the public addressed the board.

Discussion Items

• Appeal Hearing – Officer Eric Reinkey (IA 015-25 and 021-25): The board discussed and set hearing dates for two separate appeals by Officer Eric Reinkey. Counsel agreed not to consolidate the appeals. The first hearing (IA 015-25) was set for November 24, 2025, and the second (IA 021-25) for January 26, 2026. A motion to set these dates passed unanimously.
• Appeal Hearing – Corporal Janelle Robinson Woodard (BRPD): The board conducted a full evidentiary hearing regarding a five-day suspension for violations of BRPD policies: completion and submission of required forms, command of temper, and conduct unbecoming an officer. The incident occurred on May 26, 2024, at the Liberty Lagoon “Summer of Hope” event.
  • Testimony and Evidence: The board heard testimony from Corporal Robinson Woodard, Sergeant Eric Douglas (IA investigator), Chief Thomas Morse Jr., Officer Jason Miller, and Captain Todd Burgoyne. Body camera footage was played. The appellant argued the discipline was excessive compared to other officers on scene (e.g., Officer Miller received a letter of reprimand). The appointing authority argued the conduct was egregious and that the discipline was within the policy matrix (maximum six days for two category two violations).
  • Motion for Summary Disposition: The board denied the appellant’s motion for summary disposition (4-0).
  • Determination of Good Faith and Just Cause: The board voted unanimously (4-0) that the appointing authority acted in good faith and for just cause in sustaining the three policy violations.
  • Motion to Modify Discipline: A motion to reduce the suspension from five days to two days failed with a 2-2 tie (Mr. Barrow and Mr. Riggs in favor; Mr. Lemming and Chair Newville opposed). A subsequent motion by the chair to uphold the five-day suspension as commensurate also failed 2-2 (Mr. Lemming and Chair Newville in favor; Mr. Barrow and Mr. Riggs opposed).
  • Continuation: Because the board could not reach a majority decision, the appeal was left open and continued to the October 27, 2025, meeting at 1:00 PM. The board requested that the parties submit any additional evidence, including a history of similar discipline cases, before the next hearing.

Key Outcomes

• Elected Chair: Joshua Newville elected as chair (4-0).
• Set Appeal Dates: Officer Eric Reinkey appeals set for November 24, 2025 (IA 015-25) and January 26, 2026 (IA 021-25).
• Disciplinary Appeal of Corporal Robinson Woodard:
  • Motion for summary disposition denied (4-0).
  • Determination of good faith and just cause sustained (4-0).
  • Motion to modify penalty to two days failed (2-2).
  • Motion to uphold five-day suspension failed (2-2).
  • Hearing continued to October 27, 2025, at 1:00 PM, with leave for parties to submit additional briefing and evidence on whether the discipline was commensurate with the infraction.
• Next Regular Meeting: Scheduled for October 27, 2025, starting at 1:00 PM instead of the usual morning start time.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:30 PM.