Investigation in Hands of FBI, Obama Justice Dept.

Protesters have called for the immediate dismissal of the two Baton Rouge police officers involved in the shooting and their immediate arrest on murder or other appropriate charges.

However, immediately after the shooting, Gov. John Bel Edwards, Mayor-President Kip Holden, Police Chief Carl Dabadie, and DA Hillar Moore all agreed to have the U.S. Department of Justice conduct the investigation of the case.  As a result, local and state officials in Louisiana have no authority over the case until the feds complete their investigation, which could take a month or more.

In addition, Louisiana Municipal Police Civil Service rules forbid the dismissal of police officers until an investigation has been conducted.

As a result, calls to have the officers fired and arrested should be directed at the Obama Justice Department, rather than state or local officials, since the investigation is in their hands at this stage of the process and local officials are powerless.