BATON ROUGE, LA — The FBI has opened an investigation into the Baton Rouge Police Department after allegations that officers abused their authority and mistreated detainees. The inquiry comes as the department faces multiple lawsuits and internal scrutiny over claims tied to a police warehouse that officers allegedly called the “brave cave.”

The Facts

• What: Federal and internal investigations are underway into alleged misconduct involving Baton Rouge police officers and detainee treatment.
• Where: Baton Rouge Police Department operations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, including allegations tied to a former police warehouse nicknamed the “brave cave.”
• When: The FBI announced the probe over the weekend, and the department said on Friday it had begun administrative and criminal investigations.
• Who: The Baton Rouge Police Department, the New Orleans FBI Field Office, the Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, and a senior officer placed on leave after his son was arrested.
• Charges: No criminal charges were detailed in the available information against the department or the officer placed on leave.
• Status: The FBI says it is reviewing the matter for possible federal violations, and investigators are asking people with information to come forward.

What police say

The FBI said Friday that the New Orleans Field Office, the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana are reviewing the allegations for possible federal violations. The bureau said it wants anyone with information to contact investigators.

Baton Rouge police said in a statement to ABC News that the department is committed to addressing the accusations and has started both administrative and criminal investigations. The department has not publicly laid out all of the allegations, but the complaints have included claims about how detainees were treated.

A source familiar with the situation said Deputy Chief Troy Lawrence Sr. was placed on administrative leave while the department examines use-of-force claims. The same source said the leave followed the arrest of Lawrence’s son, a Baton Rouge police officer, in the broader case.

“Committed to addressing these troubling accusations and have initiated administrative and criminal investigations.”

The police chief, according to a source familiar with the investigation, also reported the “brave cave” allegations to the FBI.

The investigation

Federal civil rights investigations often examine whether officers acted under color of law and whether misconduct crossed into potential violations of federal statutes. In a case like this, investigators may review records, witness accounts, internal reports and other documentation to determine whether criminal conduct occurred.

Internal police investigations usually run alongside any federal review. That allows the department to assess policy violations, force reports and supervisory decisions while outside investigators examine whether the conduct also raises criminal concerns. Those parallel tracks do not always move at the same pace.

The FBI asked anyone with information to reach out, which is common in cases that may involve multiple witnesses or former detainees. Public tips can help investigators identify patterns, locate records and compare accounts from people who were present when the alleged misconduct occurred.

What the charges mean

No charges were announced in the information available here, but federal civil rights cases can lead to criminal charges if investigators find evidence that an officer violated someone’s rights under color of law. Those cases can also remain at the investigative stage if prosecutors do not bring an indictment.

Administrative leave is a personnel action, not a criminal finding. It generally means an employee is removed from duty while the employer reviews allegations or evidence. In a law-enforcement setting, that can help preserve the integrity of both the department’s inquiry and any outside investigation.

If a federal case is filed, it would move through the normal criminal process: review by prosecutors, possible charging decision, an initial court appearance and later hearings. Any formal accusation would still have to be proved in court.

What happens next

The FBI investigation is continuing, and the department’s internal reviews are also underway. At this stage, officials have not publicly detailed whether the case will lead to charges, discipline, or additional arrests.

Investigators are urging anyone with relevant information to contact the FBI New Orleans Field Office. Further developments will likely depend on witness statements, records, and any evidence collected during the federal and departmental reviews.

Have information on a crime? Contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).