The National Urban League and Urban League of Louisiana sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) expressing concerns over the Bogalusa Police Department's use of force. The organizations had previously written to the DOJ in April 2023 after the District Attorney of St. Tammany and Washington Parish chose not to press charges against officers involved in the 2021 death of Eric Nelson, who died while in police custody.
The latest letter, sent on August 30, 2024, focuses on another incident involving the Bogalusa Police Department. At the start of the month, Alesha Shamberger was arrested for shoplifting, during which an officer was filmed choking her while she was handcuffed in a police vehicle. This video was recorded by an eyewitness, raising public concerns about police conduct.
In response to these concerns, the Bogalusa Police Department issued a statement saying, "We have the administration has reviewed the body camera footage and as far as we're concerned, there were no policy violations." The Urban League, however, criticized this dismissive stance and called for more accountability.
The organizations are urging the DOJ to review the Bogalusa Police Department's policies and procedures. They believe additional training is necessary to ensure that the department complies with federal civil rights laws. They hope this DOJ intervention will lead to meaningful reforms and prevent future instances of excessive force.
Link: WDSU
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