Louisiana State Police troopers arrested after investigation into use of force
Four Louisiana State Police officers have been arrested following an investigation into allegations of excessive force over the span of two years, the department announced on Monday.
The troopers, 30-year-old Jacob Brown, 28-year-old Dakota DeMoss, 34-year-old Randall Dickerson and 26-year-old George Harper, face simple battery and malfeasance in office charges, according to ABC News. Brown also faces an additional charge of obstruction of justice, police said.
Brown and Dickerson’s charges stem from a July 2019 traffic stop during which they allegedly “utilized excessive and unjustifiable force” in handcuffing a driver suspected to be in possession of drugs, deactivated body cameras and lied to investigators about the amount of resistance they encountered while making the arrest.
During a second incident in May 2020, DeMoss, Harper and Brown reportedly used excessive force during a car chase in Franklin Parish. There, the officers also allegedly turned off body cameras during the pursuit. Police investigators say Brown separately falsified the use of force and arrest reports.
All four officers were arrested on Monday.
“The unjustifiable use of force by our personnel is inexcusable and tarnishes the exemplary work of our dedicated men and women of the Department of Public Safety,” Superintendent Col. Lamar Davis said in a statement.
“I commend our investigative team for their diligence and professionalism during this investigation,” Davis added. “Our agency remains committed to upholding the public trust and providing professional, fair, and compassionate public safety services.”
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