Dennis Perkins, file photo October 2019.
Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard speaks publicly for the first time about Dennis Perkins scandal, defending his decision to keep SWAT Commander Perkins on staff. Perkins and his wife are accused of sex crimes involving children.
WBRZ detailed a Baton Rouge cop’s 2013 allegation of improper conduct against his step-child by Perkins. Ard blames the officer for not putting the allegation in writing.
“He should be ashamed of himself for not reporting that, but he did have a discussion with me, and I took that on myself to still do what I call a Verbal Investigation,” says Ard.
Ard says the “verbal investigation” unveiled no sexual misconduct and determined Perkins was just “tickling” the child.
Ard further defended his office’s decision to retain Perkins in light of the 2013 allegation.
“Why hasn’t the mother of that child come forward? Why has she not made a report? I understand that it was reported to State Police, so why haven’t they arrested Dennis Perkins? Why didn’t they arrest him five years ago,” says Ard.
The Sheriff says there are no reports of incidents or allegations against Perkins’ in his official file.
WBRZ also uncovered a 2011 restraining order filed against Perkins over allegedly using his LPSO vehicle to stalk someone. Ard says they had no record of it in administration.
“No one said anything to Administrative, it wasn’t reported, so the deputy obviously missed it, he didn’t see it, which is common,” says Ard. “In this order, it is written as Dennis Wallace Perkins, and he is not known by that.”
WBRZ reports the restraining order was stamped received.
