INVESTIGATION OVERVIEW
Police are supposed to "protect and serve" our communities, but that's a far cry from what modern-day policing often looks like in Louisiana. In summer 2022, after learning of several examples of unlawful force and racial discrimination by the Louisiana State Police (LSP), including the killing of Ronald Greene, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it would institute an official pattern or practice investigation of the agency -- the first investigation of a state police agency in 20 years.
Read: ACLU of LA Statement on Dept. of Justice Investigation Into Louisiana State Police
The DOJ launched this investigation based on credible evidence of systemic excessive force and discriminatory policing on the basis of race throughout the state. The history of LSP's misconduct has etched deep wounds in our communities of color, but this investigation is an opportunity to shed light on and remedy their unconstitutional practices.
The thorough examination of Louisiana State Police, which is led by the DOJ's Civil Rights Division and the three U.S. Attorney's Offices here in Louisiana, will involve documenting and verifying any racial bias and unlawful use of force by LSP, as well as reviewing input from community members, incident reports, body-worn camera footage, policies, training materials, and supervision records. During the investigation, the DOJ will assess whether any systemic deficiencies contribute to misconduct or enable it to persist.
POTENTIAL OUTCOME
Pattern or practice investigations by the Department of Justice can produce several outcomes. For example, at the conclusion of the investigation, the DOJ may issue a letter detailing its findings related to racial bias, unlawful use of force, and any systemic factors that contribute to that misconduct. The Department may also negotiate remedies with LSP. Or, the investigation could result in LSP entering a consent decree, which would give federal court power to order reforms and monitor the agency's progress. This type of consent decree is what has governed reforms to the New Orleans Police Department and the Orleans Parish jail in recent years.
A pattern or practice investigation will also seek to identify root causes of the misconduct so they can be rectified. In addition to reforms, greater transparency will help advance the effective, accountable, bias-free policing the people of Louisiana so deeply deserve.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
A critical part of the DOJ's investigation is hearing directly from community members.
While the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division brings in a wealth of knowledge based on many years of police reform work across the nation, it knows that in order to instill confidence in the thoroughness and integrity of this investigation, as well as to better understand the issues particular to Louisiana, the community must be heard.
During the course of the investigation, the DOJ will ask Louisianans to provide feedback and testimonials about Louisiana State Police through a series of town hall events, and by using a confidential email and phone number.
In addition to gathering information directly from community members, all pattern or practice investigations involve interviewing police and local officials, collecting information from other criminal justice stakeholders, observing officer activities through ride-alongs and other means, and reviewing documents and specific incidents that are relevant to the investigation.
YOUR STORY MATTERS.
You have the power to change the state of Louisiana through storytelling. Systemic injustice can only be rectified if it is properly identified. Testimonials from community members are vital to a fair investigation.
If you have been racially profiled by the Louisiana State Police or experienced an incident of excessive force, violence, intimidation, or harassment, the Department of Justice must hear about it.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES NOW THROUGH A CONFIDENTIAL PROCESS:
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CALL: (202) 353 - 0684
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EMAIL: [email protected]
ATTEND A TOWN HALL:
- SHREVEPORT, LA
- When: Sept. 12th, 2023 @ 6:00 PM CDT
- Where: Shreve Memorial Library
Hollywood/Union Ave. Branch (2105 Hollywood Ave., Shreveport, LA 71108)
You have an opportunity to help create lasting, positive change in our state's law enforcement agencies. In order to do so, we must tell our stories. Share yours confidentially at any time by contacting the phone or email listed above, or attend a community town hall meeting to provide testimony and learn more information about the investigation. Sharing information about your experiences interacting with the Louisiana State Police is an important part of the effort to protect all Louisianans from police violence and misconduct.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a formal investigation, which is independent from any others, so please reach out to the DOJ even if you have already shared information with other organizations or investigators.
