It’s been difficult year for State Police as the state agency is under scrutiny for several use of force incidents over the last few years, one of them led to a death in Union Parish in 2019. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s confident that Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis, who was appointed in October 2020, is leading the agency in the right direction.
“I think Lamar has come in and done an admirable job under very difficult circumstances, he looked at the situation across state police and he’s already made a number of changes,” said Edwards.
A special Senate committee has held hearings this month on State Police policies regarding use of force. Edwards says he’s confident the panel will handle issues accordingly and that while most officers are a credit to their profession there are some that should not wear the badge.
“In terms of their professionalism, in terms of whether they are going to be law-abiding themselves and potentially commit crimes when they apprehend individuals. We’ve got to everything we can to separate them from state police as early as possible in that process,” said Edwards.
At the first two meetings, Edwards understands there are some topics where discussion is limited due to ongoing investigations of the agency for example the Ronald Greene case.
“With all of that going on, but I suspect in due time, that everything will be known and whatever corrective actions need to come from that I think we will find have already been taken,” said Edwards.
At last Monday’s meeting, Mona Hardin, the mother of Ronald Greene addressed members of the oversight. committee. Greene after May he was beaten and tased during an encounter with several white State Troopers in 2019.
Comments