VIDEO: New Orleans officer caught smoking meth on patrol returned to duty after investigation
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - On Dec. 5, 2023, former NOPD Officer Maurice Bailey’s body-worn camera captured video as the officer drove through the NOPD’s Seventh District while smoking meth. Days later, an NOPD sergeant conducting a random review of body-worn camera footage spotted the video, which showed Bailey using a lighter to torch a white substance into a cloud inside a glass pipe.
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Bailey was immediately ordered to submit to a drug screening. The results showed Bailey had methamphetamines in his system.
Skip Gallagher, a forensic scientist and NOPD watchdog, reviewed the NOPD Public Integrity Bureau’s (PIB) investigation into the incident after the video was flagged.
“The officer recorded himself on his own body camera. And that just is, I don’t know, that part’s a bit disturbing,” Gallagher said. “When you see this video, it’s pretty damning.”
During that PIB investigation, Bailey admitted to using drugs on the clock, telling investigators, “I’ll be honest with you, I really can’t recall the date, but I’m guilty. It’s not alleged. I was an addict dealing with an addiction.”
Bailey joined the NOPD in September 2022.
His body-worn camera recorded him using drugs on the clock just over a year later. Bailey was administratively reassigned while the Public Integrity Bureau investigated the incident. With video evidence and a positive drug test following the incident, Bailey was placed on leave without pay for seven full pay periods. During that time, he still collected sick pay, holiday leave and benefits totaling $12,997.08. That included $5,000 in retention pay, which the NOPD says the city pays automatically to all employees who meet eligibility requirements.
Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche believes the NOPD should have terminated Bailey’s employment following the discovery of the incident.
“That video alone justifies termination,” Goyeneche said. “You cannot allow a police officer to do what was depicted in that video and remain on the force. It’s not in his best interests, and it’s certainly not in the best interests of the police department.”
In the Public Integrity Bureau report, NOPD Sgt. Mary Sam wrote, “P.O. Bailey admitted to using ‘meth’ while working, which is a dangerous substance. He admitted to being in possession of and using a clear glass pipe (drug paraphernalia) to smoke the ‘meth,’ which meant that P.O. Bailey was under the influence while operating a city vehicle during his tour of duty. Being under the influence of a dangerous substance could have affected P.O. Bailey’s perception, performance, judgment, reactions and/or senses while working, which could have been a public safety hazard.”
However, the investigation concluded, “No tactical, policy, or education and training recommendations were needed by the officer.”
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In April 2024, NOPD leadership signed off on the findings and in May, Bailey was back on the clock.
Goyeneche believes allowing Bailey to keep his badge was a mistake.
“He’s carrying a firearm, he’s impaired, his judgment is impaired. That not only puts him and the public at risk, it puts his fellow officers at risk that may be relying upon him,” Goyeneche said.
Within weeks of returning to work, Bailey failed to show up for work. That prompted a formal disciplinary investigation, which noted Bailey’s actions were due to stress. He was given a letter of reprimand and continued to work.
In June 2024, Bailey tested positive for methamphetamines a second time. He told a sergeant, “It was a relapse/slip-up that occurred Tuesday, May 28… I was having trouble going to work because of embarrassment… If I was [sic] made to do something I didn’t feel up to doing, I would make a bad decision.”
“It would have been nice to see him removed from the force sooner. That is a pretty clear-cut case. And yet the officer resigned from the force; there wasn’t a termination in this case,” Gallagher said.
Shortly after the Public Integrity Bureau began investigating the second positive drug test, Bailey resigned from the force, writing in his resignation letter, “I will move on and find what I’m good at and also receive help.”
Goyeneche believes any cases Bailey worked on while struggling with substance abuse could be compromised.
“Any arrest that he made while he was under the influence, the district attorney’s office needs to disclose that information to the defense, which makes his credibility as an officer worthless.”
During the initial internal investigation, Bailey admitted to superiors that the time he was caught smoking meth on his body-worn camera wasn’t the only time he used drugs on duty.
He explained he started using meth after he was involved in a “Signal 108,” which is the NOPD’s call signal for “officer needs assistance, life in danger.” Investigators say Bailey told them that in September 2023, he “was falling behind and thought meth was the drug that could help him keep up.”
MORE: NOPD fires sergeant with long history of alleged violations
The New Orleans Police Department declined multiple requests for an on-camera interview but sent Fox 8 a statement that reads:
“Officer Bailey’s separation from the department occurred in June 2024 following multiple violations of policy. Once the department confirmed those violations, the accountability process was initiated immediately, consistent with Civil Service and state law. The officer is no longer employed by the NOPD.
“While this matter was addressed more than a year ago and involves a former employee, Superintendent Kirkpatrick remains focused on the present and future of this department — ensuring that today’s officers have the structure, oversight and wellness support needed to uphold the highest standards of integrity and performance.
“The superintendent will not be participating in an on-camera interview, but we appreciate the opportunity to provide this context in writing.”
The Civil Service Commission sent Fox 8 a statement Friday morning, which reads, “First, neither the Civil Service Department nor the Civil Service Commission had any involvement in this specific matter. Second, Civil Service Rules allow for emergency suspensions, and the only “Civil Service procedure” for termination of employment is written notice and a pre-termination hearing."
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