INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Baton Rouge Police Shooting: Alton Sterling Investigation Needs External Help

By Antonio J. Newell
Published on: 16:31 PST, Jul 5, 2016

The recent Baton Rouge police shooting has sparked major controversy in the city. But, should fellow police be allowed to investigate their comrades?

As you know, on July 5, 37-year-old Alton Sterling was shot at point-blank range several times by Baton Rouge police.

According to WAFB – 9 News, State Representative Denise Marcelle has requested that Louisiana State Police (LSP) take over the Baton Rouge shooting’s investigation.

The thing about that points back to the state’s history. Unfortunately, Louisiana’s past has shown the public it’s not a great idea to let the state investigate its own.

Yet, the source mentioned that Baton Rouge police — or Mayor Kip Holden — would have to make a request for LSP to oversee the officer shooting investigation.

However, by 9 p.m. CST, neither Baton Rouge authority had made such a request, as reported by the source.

Honestly, this shooting investigation needs external help from a non-local law enforcement agency. As you’ll read from Louisiana’s governor, Louisiana government is going to look out for Louisiana government.

Think about this.

This is the same state which recently passed the “Blue Lives Matter” bill. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards legalized this bill as an expansion on the state’s hate crime prevention strategy.

Essentially, it elaborates on the criminal statutes of targeting police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, including those within this city.

According to CNN, Louisiana’s governor states as follows.

“Coming from a family of law enforcement officers, I have great respect for the work that they do and the risks they take to ensure our safety. They deserve every protection that we can give them.”

Yes, these Baton Rouge personnel are supposed to exude honor and integrity in their positions. And, for these assumed responsibilities, they should be protected.

However, if you look at the video evidence — these two Baton Rouge police officers clearly had the man pinned to the ground.

You could hear Sterling asking, “What did I do wrong,” while the other police officer was yelling that he had a gun in his possession.

Further investigation resulted that a gun was, indeed, in the Baton Rouge man’s pocket. However, as can be seen from the video, he wasn’t reaching for it.

It’s like retired New York police officer Frank Serpico told New York Daily News in 2014.

“But today, we have cops crying wolf all the time. They testify ‘I was in fear of my life’, the grand jury buys it, the DA winks and nods, and there’s no indictment.”

According to WAFB – 9, these two Baton Rouge police officers have been placed on administrative leave.

Serpico continued, “I hear cops saying all the time — and they’re proud of it — ‘shoot first, ask questions later’. They say, ‘It’s my job to get home safe’. Yes, but not at the cost of a human being who never posed a threat to you in the first place.”

With this Baton Rouge shooting — as well as the police officers’ “Blue Lives Matter” bill in play — do these servicemen now feel like they can forego their civil responsibilities?

This guy was allegedly selling CDs outside of the Baton Rouge convenience store — a daily occurrence that isn’t unfamiliar to the area. As you can see from the video, his CD table was right behind him.

Is this not similar to the way police officers killed Eric Garner in New York City while he was selling cigarettes?

Was this protocol? Or was it more along the lines of Frank Serpico’s testimony about police officers and the tendency to “cry wolf”?

“He’s got a gun!”

Yes, sure. But, the Baton Rouge man had not drawn the gun — neither was he in a position to seemingly put his hand in his pocket at all.

If you haven’t seen the actual video, the Inquisitr reported on the Baton Rouge shooting, in further elaboration.

Although “Blue Lives Matter,” do black lives not matter?

Why is there no bill mandating a longer wait time — as well as more suggestive warnings and chances — before officers decide to fatally shoot black men and women? Check the example below where police officers give a hatchet-wielding man several upon several chances. In case you don’t see the video below, here’s the link.

https://www.facebook.com/1528500034125140/videos/1544009809240829/

You see how these police officers begged and pleaded with this man to get on the ground — even though he was taunting like he was going to throw his hatchet? How were they not fearing for their lives when he resisted while being tased?

All in all, what do you think about these Baton Rouge police officers who have been placed on administrative leave? Feel free to share your comments below.

[Photo by Tsafrir Abayov/AP Images]

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