The head of State Police is retiring at a time when the LSP is the subject of a federal civil rights investigation looking into the death of a Black man while in State Police custody last year. Colonel Kevin Reeves’ retirement is effective Friday.
Governor John Bel Edwards calls Reeves a dedicated law enforcement official.
“I will tell that he has performed tremendously well and I wish him nothing but the best going forward,” said Edwards.
Despite the controversy surrounding the death of Ronald Greene, Edwards says he did not lose confidence in Colonel Reeves and his retirement announcement has been in the works.
“Colonel Reeves let me know ahead of the election last year of his approximate timeline for retiring,” said Edwards.
Reeves has been with State Police for over 30 years and was named Superintendent in March 2017. In May of 2019, State Police said Greene died in a high-speed crash near Monroe. But body-camera video shows officers choking and beating him.
There have been other controversies with State Police as well, but Edwards says he never lost confidence in Reeves and knew of his retirement plans since last year.
“It wasn’t a surprise or nor was it anything I asked for,” said Edwards.
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