The US says Ronald Greene’s death shows Louisiana police used excessive force. From Reuters
By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The fatal 2019 arrest of unarmed black motorist Ronald Greene and its aftermath highlighted serious failings at the Louisiana State Police such as excessive use of force and accountability violations, the U.S. Justice Department said in a report released on Friday.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Greene, 49, died on a roadside in rural northern Louisiana in May 2019 after a violent confrontation with officers following a high-speed car chase. His death sparked a national debate about police brutality, particularly against black men.
Officials initially said Greene died while driving his car, but body camera footage was eventually released that showed the white officers dragging and punching Greene, who was screaming in fear.
MOST IMPORTANT QUOTES
“Mr. Greene’s death and its aftermath highlighted serious failings at LSP – excessive force, inadequate supervision, ineffective training and accountability failures,” the Justice Department said.
“These failures were not isolated incidents, but rather part of a larger pattern or practice of law enforcement conduct that deprives the people of Louisiana of their rights under the Constitution,” the 32-page report continued.
The report said the Justice Department had “reasonable grounds to believe that the Louisiana State Police is engaging in a nationwide pattern or practice of using excessive force.”
Louisiana’s Republican governor, Jeff Landry, criticized the report, saying it sought to “disparage the service and exceptionality of LSP.”
The Justice Department’s Jan. 16 report did not say whether it would take action.
CONTEXT
The report said the Justice Department investigated whether police engaged in racially discriminatory actions, but at this point concluded only that it was excessive force.
Greene’s family said Tuesday they had been told federal prosecutors would not file charges in his death.
The Justice Department report acknowledged that police had implemented some reforms after Greene’s death that led to improvements, but called for further reforms such as improved training, particularly in the use of force, to focus on less intrusive alternatives, before force is used.
