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United States says Ronald Greene's death showed Louisiana police utilized excessive force

The fatal 2019 arrest of unarmed Black motorist Ronald Greene and its aftermath showed severe failures at Louisiana State Cops like use of excessive force and breakdowns in accountability, the U.S. Justice Department said in a report launched on Friday.

WHY IT is necessary

Greene, 49, died in May 2019 on a roadside in rural northern Louisiana after a violent fight with officers that followed a high-speed car chase. His death further fueled a. nationwide dispute over cops brutality, especially against Black. males.

Officials initially stated Greene had died driving his car however. body-camera footage that was eventually revealed exposed the. white officers dragging and beating Greene who was shrieking in. fear.

KEY QUOTES

Mr. Greene's death and its aftermath demonstrated severe. failures at LSP-- excessive force, improper supervision,. inefficient training, and breakdowns in responsibility, the. Justice Department stated.

These failures were not separated, but part of a bigger. pattern or practice of police conduct that deprives. individuals in Louisiana of their rights under the Constitution, the. 32-page report added.

The report said the Justice Department has sensible. trigger to believe that the Louisiana State Cops take part in a. statewide pattern or practice of using extreme force.

Republican Louisiana Guv Jeff Landry slammed the. report stating it attempted to reduce the service and. exceptionality of LSP.

The January 16 report by the Justice Department did not say. whether it would take any action.

CONTEXT

The report stated the Justice Department looked into whether. the police took part in racially discriminating authorities but at this. time it made findings only regarding excessive force.

Greene's household said on Tuesday they were informed federal. district attorneys would not bring charges in his death.

The Justice Department report acknowledged that authorities had. made some reforms after Greene's death that led to enhancements. but advised more reforms like improved training, particularly on. use of force to lay emphasis on less invasive alternatives. before using force.

(source: Reuters)