The new investigation will focus on whether the Louisiana State Police have “a pattern or practice of using excessive force,” and whether the agency “engages in racially discriminatory policing practice against Black people and other people of color,” Clarke said.
It comes after the Justice Department received disturbing reports “officers target Black residents in their traffic enforcement practices and in use of force,” Clarke said. Some reports involve the alleged use of racial slurs and derogatory terms by state troopers, as well as “unwarranted force after pursuit, involving the use of Tasers and blows to the head,” she said.
“We received information about … repeated use of excessive force, often against people who are suspected of minor traffic offenses; are already handcuffed; or are not resisting,” Clarke said.
“In some cases, the injuries these individuals suffered were severe, including the death of at least one individual,” Clarke said.
If the investigation finds violations of the Constitution or federal law, the Justice Department will detail the conclusions in a public report and work with the state to agree on remedies. If no agreement can be reached, the department can seek a solution in court, Clarke said.
“Our goal is to regain the trust of those who have lost confidence in the system and provide justice for all,” said Ronald C. Gathe Jr., the US attorney for Louisiana’s Middle District.
“It is deeply troubling that allegations of systemic misconduct exist that would warrant this type of investigation, but it is absolutely critical that all Louisianans, especially African Americans and other people of color, have their faith, confidence, and trust in public safety officers restored,” Edwards said.
Davis said state police staff “truly make a difference in our communities, and I am grateful for the sacrifices they make on behalf of public safety,” but “that does not change the fact that we have had some employees violate the trust of our citizens and of their colleagues.”
“When that occurs, it is incumbent upon our agency to uphold our public safety oath and make the changes necessary to ensure that this does not ever happen again,” Davis said.
Videos showed harsh arrest of Greene
Clarke said she recognizes the public is intensely interested in the Greene case, but she stressed the new probe was apart from any federal criminal investigation like that one.
“That (separate, criminal) investigation (into Greene’s death) remains ongoing, and we are limited in what we can say at this time,” Clarke said.
An initial crash report from state police did not mention troopers using force against or arresting Greene.
The autopsy report states lacerations on Greene’s head were “inconsistent with motor vehicle collision injury” and were “most consistent with multiple impact sites from a blunt object.”
A sternal fracture and cuts on Greene’s aorta and liver were noted in the autopsy report. “Whether this injury is due to trauma from the motor vehicle collision, subsequent struggle, or is resuscitative in nature cannot be stated with certainty,” the report reads.
Justice Department investigation is ‘monumental step,’ attorneys for Greene’s family say
Three lawyers for Greene’s family released a statement Thursday saying the federal civil investigation into the state police “is a monumental step towards true systematic shift that will affect all law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Louisiana.”
“We have remained steadfast that an independent investigation into LSP is the only way to achieve real change. Now we have that. We would not be here if it were not for the brave families and victims who spoke up when few would listen,” attorneys Lee Merritt, Ron Haley and Mark McGuire said.
An attorney for Bowman, Donecia Banks-Miley, said Bowman was relieved and “glad to hear that the DOJ finally sees the need to take action.”
“We have been requesting this investigation for over a year now and are hopeful that this investigation will bring justice to victims such as he, Ronald Greene and so many more who have been affected. We hope that this investigation continues to shed light on the persistent patterns of misconduct and excessive force specifically against African Americans,” Banks-Miley said Thursday.
CNN’s Alta Spells and Jade Gordon contributed to this report.