There are suspicions that he tried to cover up many cases of unjustified and disproportionate violence against African-American victims.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that it is launching an investigation into Louisiana police, as it is suspected of trying to cover up many cases of unwarranted and disproportionate violence against African-American victims.
The investigation is aimed at determining whether law enforcement forces in the US state of South Africa “used excessive force” and “racial discrimination”, explained senior Justice Department official Kristen Clark during a press conference in Baton Rouge.
“We have received reports of repeated use of excessive force against people who were often suspected of simple minor traffic violations and who were already ‘handcuffed or not resisting,'” Clark said.
“In some cases, the victims’ were very seriously injured, at least one of the people is dead,” he added.
He was referring to the case of the black Ronald Green, who died in 2019, at the age of 49. Police initially reported his death as the result of a car crash following a high-speed chase.
But three years later, a video of his arrest by six white police officers was released. The video, from a camera worn by a police officer, revealed that police officers beat the victim, immobilized him repeatedly using an electroshock weapon and also a strangulation grip, then dragged him to the ground.
Louisiana federal justice and parliament are conducting separate investigations to determine whether there is a criminal record for police officers and those who helped them cover up the case.
The Ministry of Justice clarified that its own investigation of the state police has an administrative character and is distinct.
It concerns the practices and training of police officers in Louisiana, their oversight and disciplinary proceedings. It will lead to the publication of a finding.
If violations are found, the Ministry of Justice will work with local authorities to identify the necessary reforms. If there is no agreement on them, a judge may be asked to enforce the reforms.
Four other similar investigations began after massive nationwide protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in May 2020. But they concern all cities (Minneapolis, Louisville, Phoenix and Mount Vernon).
This is the first time in 20 years that such a procedure has been initiated for the state police.
