Baton Rouge Reporter

Baton Rouge, LA  — Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced today she has appointed Thomas S. "TJ" Morse, Jr. as the next Chief of the Baton Rouge Police Department. The decision comes after a thorough and transparent review of more than 20 candidates by a citizen review committee. After careful consideration of five finalists, Morse stood out because of his 20-year career as a BRPD officer, his dedication to our community, his embrace of 21st century policing standards, and his commitment to the public safety of the City of Baton Rouge.

Morse's journey in law enforcement is one of dedication and distinguished service throughout East Baton Rouge Parish. Most recently, he served as BRPD’s Commander of Training Services where he championed procedural justice and implicit bias training. His policing career as a uniform patrolman, a member of the SWAT team, and various roles and training gives him the diverse and unique skill set to lead the next generation of the Baton Rouge Police Department.

Morse played an integral part of critical improvements in 21st century training and education at BRPD, including his leadership with the last three training academy classes, which were the most diverse academies in the history of the department; the modernization of BRPD’s training policies that allowed the department to successfully exit a 39-year federal consent decree; and the creation of  an internal leadership course to improve internal promotion of BRPD officers.

"Chief Morse's expertise in tactical operations, crime-fighting strategies, procedural justice, and bias-free policing makes him an ideal leader for our community,” said Mayor Broome. “His passion for comprehensive training, including emotional intelligence and medical response, aligns with our vision for a police department that serves with excellence and empathy."

"I'm excited about the opportunity to work hand in hand with law enforcement and the community to enhance public safety collaboratively," said Morse. "Together with the members of the Baton Rouge Police Department, we will continue to address crime and safety concerns in our community, fostering a balance between effective law enforcement and community stakeholders."

Chief Morse's commitment extends beyond traditional law enforcement roles. As an advanced EMT, he has been instrumental in promoting the medical preparedness of the police force. Initiatives such as equipping officers with tourniquets and chest seals have resulted in more than an estimated hundred lives saved annually.

Mayor Broome acknowledged the challenges faced by the police department while highlighting its strengths. "Our department is one of the best in the entire country, and Chief Morse is the right leader to build upon its successes.”

Mayor Broome and Chief Morse are confident that this collaboration between law enforcement and the community will lead to effective solutions for the challenges facing Baton Rouge. Morse's multifaceted experience and dedication to comprehensive training and community engagement position him as a leader committed to shaping a safer and more secure Baton Rouge.

Original source can be found here.