We the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus (LLBC) Members would like to express our disappointment in the apparent lack of justice that was demonstrated by the recent decision in the Alton Sterling police shooting. This lack of judicial action is consistent with an unfortunate pattern of “failure to prosecute” in cases that raise the question of excessive use of deadly force against Black male victims.
It is vitally important that our law enforcement authorities continue to strengthen standards, enhance training, and enforce departmental policies that enable our police departments to recruit and retain high quality law enforcement officers, as well as maintain reasonable policies that present a threat to the safety and personal well-being of our citizens.
It is also critically, important that we instill public confidence in our justice system by ensuring that any individual whose deliberate unlawful actions result in injury or loss of life of another are prosecuted under applicable provisions of law.