A New Orleans police officer, Darien Crochet, was arrested on a charge of second-degree battery after allegedly punching a woman at a Central Business District bar early Sunday morning. The incident took place at Après Lounge, located at 608 Fulton St., according to court documents.
The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) confirmed that Crochet has been “reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of both a criminal and internal investigation,” as stated by NOPD spokesperson Reese Harper on Tuesday. Further details from the police department are yet to be released.
According to the police report, Crochet was at Après Lounge with a woman around 2 a.m. when he allegedly punched her in the face at least once, knocking her unconscious. The woman later identified Crochet in a photographic lineup as the person responsible for the assault.
Orleans Criminal District Court Magistrate Judge Juana Lombard set Crochet’s bond at $7,500. As part of the bond conditions, Crochet has been prohibited from entering Après Lounge. As of Tuesday morning, Crochet had not been booked into the New Orleans jail.
Public records indicate that Crochet joined the NOPD in 2018. He has previously faced complaints with the NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau (PIB), including a 2021 accusation of neglect of duty related to allegedly entering a civilian’s property without a warrant. The outcome of that investigation remains unclear.
