The New Orleans Police Department, long-riddled with institutional problems, now finds itself in the spotlight again for all the wrong reasons. An investigation by a local news organization has revealed that two officers who are currently awaiting trial for felonies are back on the job after 120-day suspensions.
One of them, 54-year-old Bradley Wax, was arrested in April 2014 and charged with possessing 38 counts of child pornography. And though the crime carries a possible punishment of up to 500 years in prison, he’s currently working at the department’s headquarters, and getting paid for it.
The other officer, 40-year-old Michael Thomassie, was charged in February 2014 with aggravated rape. Prosecutors say the alleged victim was under the age of 10 at the time of the crime. Now the officer is working as a desk-cop in the city’s Fourth District.
Tyler Gamble, an NOPD spokesman, told the news organization that regardless of the charges, the department’s hands are tied until there are verdicts, which are expected this summer. Without proof of guilt, the 120-day suspension (unpaid) is the most severe punishment available.
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