Fisher says law enforcement officers not following procedure

Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/06/2008 - 17:33

By: MICHAEL

BORDELON

News Editor

George Fisher of Black Man Seven, Douglas Bellard, and Reverend Raymond Brown of National Action Network said Tuesday, March 4, at the Evangeline Parish Courthouse that a complaint will be filed on the deputies, who they say illegally searched a residence without the proper warrant.

Fisher said these law enforcement officers kicked down the door of a local residence in their search for Blake Ceaser, who was being sought on narcotic-related charges. However, he stated these deputies only had an arrest warrant and did not have the right to enter the residence without the proper search warrant. According to Fisher, the owner of the home, who was at the courthouse with him, was going to file the complaints.

“If justice is to move forward, it must move correctly,” Fisher said.

Brown added this was an unlawful entry of a residence and believed some members of law enforcement have a personal vendetta against the black community. He said he had a problem with some of these officers, who he claimed were making jokes about how they had captured the drug dealers. “There are bad apples that need to be weeded out,” Brown said. “There is no accountability. And if the sheriff feels his men were right, then we need federal oversight.”

Fisher stated, “It is time to end all police brutality. We need no more false arrests by any officer in any location. This is the final rude awakening before people start speaking up in town. We’re hoping to wake up all of the civic leaders and ministers. Everyone should open their eyes, ears and mind. It’s time to come together and become a part of the solution.”

The owner of the residence authorities entered in their search for Ceaser later stated she no longer wished to proceed in this case or be a part of this report.

(Editor’s Note: Police began searching for Blake Ceaser after he eluded them in a traffic stop Friday, February 22. At that time, officers took possession of 50 grams of cocaine, 139 ecstasy pills, $296 in cash, a handgun, cell phones, two scanners, Kool cigarettes, a digital scale, a can and two vehicles. Ceaser turned himself into authorities Friday, February 29, when the Black Man Seven escorted him to the parish jail.)