Police Refuse to Apologize for Brutalizing Innocent Woman, Costing Taxpayers Thousands

Baton Rouge, LA — In yet another glaring example of the police state’s sheer arrogance and utter disregard for accountability, attorneys representing the Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) blatantly refused a request for police to apologize to the victim of an excessive force case. The absurdity of the situation doesn’t end there; their decision to snub a simple apology ended up costing taxpayers an extra $15,000.

The female victim, in a display of remarkable empathy, agreed to reduce her $55,000 proposed settlement by $15,000 if the officer, Troy Lawrence Jr., apologized for violating her civil rights. She also wanted an apology from BRPD Chief Murphy Paul. But apparently, the concept of apologizing was a bridge too far for the BRPD and their city-parish attorneys.

The officer involved just so happens to be the son of BRPD Deputy Chief Troy Lawrence Sr. Coincidence? You be the judge.

Legal experts assert that the refusal to apologize is likely a cunning tactic for BRPD and the city-parish to avoid having to pay even higher settlements in the future by admitting actual wrongdoing in this case. Heaven forbid they show some humility and own up to their actions.

Shermanie Reed, the victim, sued city police after Officer Troy Lawrence Jr. violently yanked her from her car by her wrists at the scene of an October 2020 fender bender. Reed recounts that the officer was hostile from the moment he arrived, becoming violent and repeatedly cursing at her when confronted about his appalling demeanor.

In Reed’s account, the officer barked at her and others at the scene to “shut the f*ck up” and return to their cars. After checking for any outstanding warrants, the officer allegedly returned to her vehicle and demanded she “get the f*ck out,” according to her complaint to BRPD.

Adding insult to injury, Officer Lawrence muted his bodycam upon arriving at the scene and kept it off for the entire duration of the incident.

Thomas Frampton, the lawyer representing Reed, emphasizes that receiving an apology from BRPD was crucial to his client. Yet in a blatant display of heartlessness, East Baton Rouge Parish Director of Litigation and Risk Management Greg Rome told them an apology was off the table.

In a condescending email to Reed’s lawyer, Rome wrote, “Lawsuits are about money,” making it clear that he wouldn’t entertain the idea of an apology.

In response, Frampton highlighted that his client’s lawsuit was not solely about money, stating, “Sometimes apologies, or commitments to do better, are just as good (if not better!), and that’s what our final offer reflects.”

Ironically, the officer did apologize to Chief Murphy Paul about his actions that day. After receiving a mere two-day suspension without pay for Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and other violations, including muting his bodycam during the incident, Lawrence promised to do better.

The city-parish eventually paid the $55,000 settlement to Reed earlier this week, and the officer remains on the force. It seems in this twisted world, all an officer needs to do is apologize to their superior, not the actual victim, and all is forgiven.

Source: The Free Thought Project

Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA. This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state. Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream networks around the world. Agorist is also the Editor at Large at the Free Thought Project. Follow @MattAgorist on Twitter, Steemit, and now on Minds.

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