The US Department of Justice is opening an investigation into the Louisiana State Police to look at its patterns or practices when it comes to their interactions with people of color, the department announced Thursday.
The probe will focus on “whether the Louisiana State Police has 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”, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a news conference in Baton Rouge. The Justice Department received disturbing reports that “officers target Black residents in their traffic enforcement practices”, Clarke said.
