The director of New Orleans' Communications District, which runs the city's 911 center, is stepping down, WWL-TV reports. Tyrell Morris is also the director of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's Violent Crime Reduction Task Force.
Morris said he is stepping down to spend more time with his family and to pursue a doctoral degree. But WWL-TV reports Morris crashed his city-owned car last month, and may have violated policy by never notifying New Orleans Police of the crash.
That wreck happened May 7. Morris and the other driver exchanged information, and WWL-TV reports Morris instructed the dispatcher to mark the incident as "Necessary Action Taken." No report was ever made with NOPD.
The Orleans Parish Communications District rules, as provided to WWL-TV as investigated the crash, state "If injuries are reported, the operator of the OPCD vehicle(s) must take a drug and alcohol test as soon as possible. The Director of Human Resources should be contacted for the name and location of the testing facility."
The policy is dated May 14, 2019, and is signed by Morris himself.
But the TV station reports it appears this policy was altered. It has a version that reads "The operator of the OPCD vehicle(s) must take a drug and alcohol test as soon as possible. The Director of Human Resources should be contacted for the name and location of the testing facility." The words "If injuries are reported" do not appear.
The New Orleans City Council and the Office of Inspector General are reportedly investigating the discrepancy.