Leaders double-down on calls for feds to conduct full probe of State Police
On Sept. 23, the United States Department of Justice indicted a former Louisiana State Police trooper on a federal civil rights charge for using excessive force on a Black motorist in 2019.
Jacob Brown, 31, has been charged with a single count of deprivation of rights under color of law for allegedly beating of Aaron Larry Bowman on May 30, 2019, during a traffic stop.
With the announcement of this indictment the Urban League of Louisiana is echoing it’s calls for a full investigation of the practices of the Louisiana State Police, releasing the following statement:
“We applaud the Department of Justice regarding today’s indictment of Jacob Brown, former Louisiana State Police trooper, for the 2019 beating of Aaron Bowman following a traffic stop.
Much like the case involving Ronald Greene, a deeper investigation followed the release of graphic body camera footage withheld for more than two years. The footage shows Trooper Brown striking Mr. Bowman 18 times with a flashlight, which the trooper later attempted to justify as “pain compliance.” We commend the federal grand jury in Shreveport, Louisiana, who brought the excessive force charges against Trooper Brown.
We again call for a full patterns and practices investigation of the entire department.
The Urban League of Louisiana will continue to advocate for a more fair and just system for all, and for accountability within the Louisiana State Police.”
Meanwhile U.S. Rep. Troy Carter is adding his voice to a growing chorus of Louisianans Calling for a full investigation of Louisiana State Police.
“This federal indictment is a welcome step toward justice for the countless, predominately Black, victims of Louisiana State Police’s brutality,” said Carter. “We still have a long way to go in the fight for accountability and equitable treatment. It is blatantly clear that a full pattern or practice investigation into the Louisiana State Police by the Justice Department continues to be necessary.”
Ahead of the indictment, Carter spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives reiterating his previous call for a federal investigation into misconduct at the Louisiana State Police.The Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, sent a letter standing with Congressman Carter in support of a continuing investigation into this troubled Louisiana department.
“The unlawful actions of the Louisiana State Police are only some of the many examples of racially motivated violence and misconduct by police,” said Carter. “Without accountability and transparency, Black people in Louisiana and across the United States will continue to face racial profiling and targeted brutality. That is why it is essential that we pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.”
District D Councilman Jared C. Brossett is also calling for a federal program of the Louisiana state troopers. Brossett announced on Sept. 23 that he wrote a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland urging him to begin a federal investigation into the practices of the Louisiana State Police (LSP). Recent reporting showed at least a dozen instances in the last decade where evidence of beatings was concealed and efforts to root out misconduct were impeded.
In addition to the arrest of Jacob Brown, Brossett also referenced the arrest and brutal beating of Ronald Green which was seen in a May 2020 on body cam footage released by the associated press. LSP previously claimed that Green had died of injuries related to a car crash. The footage led to a rise in calls for a federal investigation.
