New Orleans Officer Recorded Smoking Meth on Duty — Bodycam Captures Shocking Incident

NEW ORLEANS, La. — A shocking investigation has revealed that a former New Orleans police officer recorded himself smoking methamphetamine while on duty, using his own body-worn camera to capture the incident.

According to a report by FOX 8 News, former NOPD Officer Maurice Bailey was on patrol in the city’s 7th District on December 5, 2023, when his bodycam documented him smoking meth inside his patrol car during his shift.

The footage, released as part of a departmental investigation, has raised serious questions about internal oversight, officer conduct, and public safety within the New Orleans Police Department.

Bodycam Footage Reveals Meth Use While on Patrol

Officials said Bailey’s bodycam video showed him taking multiple hits from a pipe while on duty. Investigators later confirmed through testing that the substance was methamphetamine.

The footage reportedly captured Bailey patrolling neighborhoods, responding to radio calls, and driving his squad car while visibly under the influence.

“It’s one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever seen,” a law enforcement source told FOX 8. “You expect misconduct, but not something this dangerous — an armed, impaired officer on duty is a threat to everyone.”

Internal Investigation and Termination

Following the incident, the NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau launched an internal investigation. Bailey was immediately suspended and later terminated from the department after evidence confirmed his drug use while on the job.

The department stated that Bailey’s behavior represented a severe breach of public trust, adding that no citizen complaints had been filed against him prior to the discovery.

NOPD leadership emphasized that his actions do not reflect the department’s values or the professionalism of other officers.

“We hold every officer to the highest standard,” an NOPD spokesperson said. “When one fails that standard so severely, we act decisively. This kind of conduct will not be tolerated.”

Public Reaction and Department Reforms

The revelation has sparked outrage and concern among New Orleans residents, particularly in the wake of ongoing efforts to rebuild public confidence in the city’s police force following years of federal oversight.

Local advocates and city officials are now calling for expanded drug testing protocols and wellness checks for officers, especially those assigned to high-stress beats or late-night patrols.

A Broader Issue of Mental Health and Addiction

Law enforcement experts say this case underscores a growing need for mental health and addiction support systems within police departments.

“Officers experience trauma daily,” said criminologist Dr. Maria Santos. “Without proper counseling and intervention, some turn to substances as a coping mechanism — but when that happens in uniform, it becomes a public safety crisis.”

Community Response and Next Steps

Residents across the 7th District have expressed both anger and sadness over the situation, emphasizing that police misconduct erodes trust in neighborhoods already battling crime and drug abuse.

Bailey has not yet faced criminal charges, but federal authorities are reportedly reviewing the case for possible violations of state and federal drug laws.

The New Orleans Police Department says it will cooperate fully with ongoing investigations and plans to review all active-duty officers’ bodycam policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.

What do you think — should police departments implement random bodycam reviews and mandatory wellness screenings for officers? Join the discussion now at NapervilleLocal.com.