Black Louisiana state lawmakers ask DOJ to investigate state police

Black Louisiana lawmakers are asking the Department of Justice to investigate the Louisiana State Police amid controversy over the 2019 death of Ronald Greene.

The letter from the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus blasted the police department’s handling of Greene’s death as “shameful,” The Advocate reported.

“The simple fact that Mr. Greene was killed in police custody was a tragedy; the attempts to cover it up and place blame on the victim are shameful,” the letter stated.

“The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus requests the Department of Justice to investigate the Louisiana State Police and unearth the true roots of these issues so that we may commit to our citizens some measures of safety and protection,” it continued.

Greene died in 2019 after he was restrained and beaten by officers following a lengthy high-speed chase. However, officials didn’t release fully-body camera footage and an autopsy report from the incident until May 2021, after they were obtained by The Associated Press.

Police originally said Greene died after the high-speed chase with officers. But the autopsy concluded that Greene died of “cocaine induced agitated delirium complicated by motor vehicle collision, physical struggle, inflicted head injury and restraint.”

Troop F, the Louisiana State Police unit involved in Greene’s death, is reportedly under internal investigation over whether troopers targeted and abused Black drivers.

That probe also includes the death of Aaron Bowman, who was struck 18 times with a flashlight by troopers. Bowman survived the incident. 

The caucus’s letter also pointed to Bowman’s beating, according to The Advocate. The lawmakers also asked for assistance for state police to provide investigative oversight to local police departments.

Louisiana State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis told The Hill in a statement that over the past eight months, the agency has “carefully evaluated and examined our processes and operational practices leading to fundamental improvements to our operations, training, and administration.”

“We remain committed to the reform process through continued coordination with the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and invaluable conversations with stakeholders representing diverse populations throughout our state. Through this partnership, we will ensure the implementation of critical changes and the building of trust within the communities we serve,” Davis added.