Department of Justice finds Louisiana State Police engaged in unconstitutional use of force, calls for further reforms
Jan 16, 2025
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The United States Department of Justice announced Thursday that the Louisiana State Police have been found to engage in unconstitutional practices, including excessive use of force, unjustified Taser usage, escalation of minor incidents and force against non-threatening individuals, violating the Fourth Amendment.
While LSP has implemented reforms, such as revising its use-of-force policy, establishing a Force Investigation Unit, and updating training, the report concludes that further action is necessary to address these issues.
The DOJ began the investigation on June 9, 2022, and states in the report that they are committed to working with LSP and the state to strengthen reforms.
The findings come after federal prosecutors told family members of Ronald Greene they won't bring charges in his deadly 2019 arrest, closing out an FBI investigation into the troopers who stunned, punched and dragged Greene on the roadside and allegations of an attempted cover-up by state police.
Federal prosecutors won’t seek charges in deadly arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene
Read the full report here.
Louisiana leaders react
This report, conducted under the previous administration, seeks to diminish the service and exceptionality of LSP. We will not let that happen. The reputation of our men and women in blue is one of respect, admiration, and appreciation, and we will always have their back.
Gov. Jeff Landry
This report follows months of USDOJ inactivity and virtually no engagement with the State. It is unfortunate that political appointees of the USDOJ are continuing to use the agency to advance a political agenda. We will continue to ensure that LSP is the finest law enforcement organization in the country and have a deep respect and appreciation for all of Louisiana’s law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line for the citizens of our great State each and every day and they have our steadfast support.
Attorney General Liz Murrill
"The Louisiana State Police continue to work diligently on improving our relationship with our citizens, law enforcement partners, political leaders, and agency personnel. We are committed to providing the citizens of our state the most professional law enforcement agency in the country. Our focus is on Public Safety in all the corners of the state."
Louisiana State Police spokesperson
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