Procedural changes are coming to the Louisiana State Police Department as the agency mourns the death of Trooper Adam Gaubert, killed in an ambush over the weekend.
Col. Lamar Davis, Superintendent of LSP, gave an emotional press conference Monday, where he gave further details into the chain of procedural events his investigation uncovered, which led to the late discovery of trooper Gaubert’s body.
Col. Davis explained that a ‘perfect storm’ was created by following existing police procedures regarding emergency situations, like Saturday’s manhunt and pursuit of suspected shooter Mathew Mire.
According to Col. Davis, part of that element contributing to Gaubert’s death was that all radio traffic was put on hold except for the pursuing officers.
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“Which means that only extreme life of death radio traffic is communicated,” he said. “This allows responding units to communicate effectively and efficiently.
However, Col. Davis explains do to this, off-duty and other police officers could not be called in to assist the pursuit.
Col. Davis says the manhunt for suspected shooter, Mathew Mire, shows the agency needs to change.
“This event has shown that redundant methods are necessary to ensure the safety of all of our personnel not actively engaged in such events,” said Col. Davis.
“System improvements are currently underway and being evaluated immediate implementation,” said Davis.
New technology will be a part of those changing procedures, including utilizing expanded GPS coverage, alerts when there is a trooper ‘dormant’ online, and redundant tracking of troopers by the communication staff.
“We’ve known we needed to make a change,” said Col. Davis.”We are in the process of making that change to better not only our technology but increase the safety of our personnel.”