Louisiana State Police Sgt. Albert Paxton, addresses members of Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight, December 13, 2021
A state police detective who investigated if troopers used excessive force in the death of Ronald Greene answered questions from the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversght on Monday and told lawmakers his recommendations were ignored by his superiors. LSP Sgt. Albert Paxton answered a series of questions by Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson.
“Which supervisors have not taken your direct advice on your investigations and the results thereof, on officer-involved shootings?” Jackson asked.
“Well at the time…” Paxton responded.
Jackson then clarified “Just during your time at the agency, let’s say 2019.”
“In 2019 Jason Turner didn’t,” said Paxton.
In May 2019, Major Jason Turner was in charge of the criminal investigation of officers and head of the investigation into Greene’s death. Turner was later promoted by LSP Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis to head of the Criminal Investigative Division and part of his job was to see how other states managed use of force complaints
Police body camera footage of Greene’s arrest was made public by the Associated Press in May of this year, two years after his death. Paxton was asked by Jackson if he’s ever had issues collecting footage
“During your time, and I’m not going to put a time frame, you’ve been there a while, have there been times where officers hadn’t turned in their body cams to you,” Jackson asked.
“Yes ma’am,” Paxton said.
Officers who were directly involved in the Greene arrest were asked to appear before the committee and did not. Paxton also told members about the frustration he vented to a member of the Employee Assistance Program.
“I won’t participate in a coverup, I won’t hide evidence and I won’t lie,” said Paxton.
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