OPELOUSAS, La. — KATC Investigates has discovered several instances dating back to 2008 where Tyron Andrepont was disciplined for breaking the rules while working for the Opelousas Police Department.
Andrepont was booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail on Tuesday on five counts of malfeasance in connection with the alleged beating of an Opelousas teen in a hospital last year.
According to public records of city council meetings obtained by KATC Investigates, Andrepont was disciplined at least five times while working as an OPD officer over the last decade, and promoted at least twice.
Most recently, Andrepont was given a written reprimand in April 2019 for a violation of the department's order on courtesy.
In December 2016, the Opelousas City Council approved Andrepont’s promotion from probation police sergeant to permanent police sergeant.
On Nov. 19, 2015, Opelousas Personnel Committee met to discuss a "personnel matter" regarding Andrepont. The committee went into executive session at Andrepont's request to discuss it.
When they returned to a regular session, they approved the following:
- Administrative leave with pay for Andrepont that went into effect on Oct. 20, 2015 and ended on Nov. 3, 2015.
- Suspension of Andrepont for 40 hours for Dec. 4 - 5 & 9 - 10, 2015.
The committee then recommended to send Andrepont’s leave and return to the full city council for final approval. The committee also went into executive session to discuss Andrepont’s suspension.
When the committee returned to regular session, it recommended not to accept the approval of Andrepont’s suspension and voted to send the matter to the full city council for further review and discussion with then Police Chief Donald Thompson.
In December 2015, the council unanimously voted to accept the personnel committee report. The council approved Andrepont’s administrative leave and return. They also approved Andrepont’s suspension after discussion with the police chief.
In September 2015, the council voted to approve his promotion from patrolman first class to probationary police sergeant.
In March 2011, the council unanimously approved the recommendation to suspend Andrepont for eight hours without pay for violation of the OPD policy of prohibiting use of tobacco when passengers are present in their vehicles.
In December 2008, he was given 80 hours suspension, as well as anger management classes at his own expense, for unauthorized use of force.
And in August 2006, he was given 12 hours suspension for discourteous/offensive conduct toward another or disgraceful moral conduct.
KATC Investigates also found that an Opelousas minister filed a lawsuit against Andrepont, the police department and the city over a 2010 incident.
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