Disturbing Details surrounding the arrest of New Orleans’ Business and External Services Director Peter Bowen are beginning to emerge.
According to information released by the New Orleans Police Department Bowen, 33, was reportedly verbally abusive, uncooperative, and belligerent as he was taken into custody.
The New Orleans Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate reports Bowen repeatedly demanded officers contact Chief Shaun Ferguson and at one point warned officers “You are going to regret doing this.”
Officers came upon Bowen’s vehicle late Thursday night near the intersection of Dumaine and Chartres Streets.
Officers reported his pickup had crashed into three cars and then hit three support posts holding up a balcony on a French Quarter building.
Bowen was said to be asleep behind the wheel.
When awakened he rummaged through his glovebox reportedly looking for a badge and demanding officers call the police chief.
As officers tried to get Bowen to comply, he is reported to have responded that he could bench press 400-pounds so he would be non-compliant.
After being taken into custody, Bowen was transported to the NOPD DWI testing office on Tchoupitoulas Street where he is reported to have lain on the floor yelling “Call Shaun Ferguson!”
He refused a field sobriety test, ignored orders to sit, taunted officers, refused to sign the complaint ticket and complained the handcuffs used on him hurt his wrists.
Officers booked Bowen into the Orleans Parish jail on counts alleging he was driving while intoxicated, committed criminal property damage, driving without insurance and other traffic offenses.
Later Friday Bowen was placed on immediate suspension by Mayor LaToya Cantrell pending a full investigation.
