Almost half of Louisiana's sheriffs' offices are breaking state public records law, according to a new investigation from ProPublica and Verite, a New Orleans–based nonprofit newsroom. Lacking formal document retention policies, as required by state law, Louisiana sheriff's offices have been accused of destroying public records, including documents showing evidence of police misconduct.
According to state law, Louisiana requires that all sheriffs' offices—as well as other state agencies—write a formal public records retention policy and submit it for state approval. The law also requires these agencies to seek permission to destroy public records from the state archivist.
