Back in November of 2020, LSU wide receiver Koy Moore tweeted about feeling violated by three BRPD officers in the Ion Apartments Parking Garage.
Here’s a look at what Moore said via Twitter.
“Last night I was approached by policemen, they pulled guns on me assuming I had a gun and drugs, (screaming where’s your gun?) I was violated numerous times even as going as far as trying to unzip my pants in search of a weapon that I repeatedly told them I did not have. As I tried to go live for video documentation of the harassment they snatched my phone. I could’ve lost my life and I know for a fact nothing would’ve happened to the guys who did it…as some celebrate the election of a new president understand the real problems have not changed. If I didn’t tell those incompetent police officers that I was an LSU football player there is no telling if I would’ve been here to tell the story! Yesterday wasn’t a victory for America, it was only a distraction.”
The tweet picked up national media attention due to Moore’s status as an LSU football player.
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The incident occurred around 1:50 a.m on Nov. 8, 2020, and the official video clip footage was released earlier today. The entire encounter was less than three minutes.
Deputy Chief Miran Daniels said the officers were dispatched to the Ion Apartments after a security guard reported that there were 200 people partying on the roof of the building-breaking all of Ion’s COVID-19 protocol.
The encounter occurred when the three officers spotted two people (later identified as Koy Moore and another young man) suspiciously ducking behind vehicles. The officers then stopped to scope the scene.
A total of four video clips were released by the Baton Rouge Police Department depicting the interaction. One was from the police unit’s dash cam, and the remaining three were from the officer’s bodycam footage.
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BRPD Chief Murphy Paul said one of the officers was completely cleared of any wrongdoing and the other two were issued a letter of reprimand for “Conduct Unbecoming an Officer.”
The two officers were also required to undergo new training, seeing as how their original training was unsuccessful in properly de-escalating a situation.
A fragment of Koy Moore’s official statement per WAFB9 is as follows:
“Koy Moore is satisfied that two of the officers, including the one that initiated the stop and frisk, were disciplined for Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and that the Chief will be instituting training for them in this regard,” said Mark Glago and Jatavian Williams, the attorneys for Moore and his family. “This is a positive outcome and will hopefully change how these officers treat young men in the future. The BRPD’s interaction with Koy Moore and his friend the night of Nov. 8 is clear evidence that we should expect more from the officers who are supposed to protect all citizens.
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Unfortunately for Koy, his first-ever encounter with police fell well outside of the conduct expected from police officers. When misconduct and policy violations occur, accountability and discipline must follow.”
Moore’s tweet helped to further raise awareness on the mistreatment and racial profiling exhibited by a number of policemen in the force. Moore’s use of his platform shows just how much influence athlete’s voices have in today’s society.
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