Watchdog: Council hiring 3rd-party investigator for latest Vappie allegations made right move

An independent investigation of one of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's NOPD bodyguard is set to get underway with the hiring of Transcendent Law Group to probe high-profile cases.

A prominent watchdog says it's the right call to have an outsider investigate issues related to the alleged affair between the mayor and her security detail.

The last investigation into Officer Jeffrey Vappie, over how he was paid while acting as the mayor's bodyguard, was subject to leaks and criticism from the federal consent decree monitor. It's something Chief Ann Kirkpatrick promised to change

"What we're seeing right now are some of the changes that were promised by Chief Kirkpatrick," said New Orleans Metro Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche.

Goyeneche says the NOPD is essentially recusing itself from high-profile investigations, to minimize any chance of political interference.

"Once the investigation is completed, their findings will be presented to the police department," he said, "and it will be incumbent up on the superintendent to decide what discipline if any, is appropriate in this case."

The commission filed a complaint after it received photos of Officer Jeffrey Vappie dining with the mayor. The commission's president, Rafael Goyeneche, said it raises questions about conflict of interest, professional ethics, and other issues.