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By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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KEY TAKEAWAYS |
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Louis Searles, a Black janitor, was violently arrested by Asheville Police. |
The police claimed “reasonable suspicion” based on flawed assumptions. |
Significant online outrage highlighted concerns of racial profiling. |
Black individuals in Asheville face disproportionate police scrutiny. |
The majority of lower-level crime charges involve Black individuals in Asheville. |
Experts urge urgent reforms to address systemic issues in policing. |
Racial Profiling and Police Brutality in Asheville: The Louis Searles Incident
On December 9, 2024, an upsetting event occurred at the Grove Arcade in Asheville, North Carolina. Louis Searles, a 63-year-old Black janitor, became the focus of a rough arrest by Asheville Police officers. He tried to help them find the driver of a reported stolen car but instead faced suspicion and aggression.
Timeline of the Louis Searles Incident
Louis Searles is violently arrested at the Grove Arcade.
Asheville files a petition to release the body-cam footage publicly.
A judge approves the release of the body-cam footage.
The body-cam footage becomes public.
Online outrage erupts over racial profiling concerns.
Sgt. Ian Cooper and Officer Jose Rico-Garcia said they had “reasonable suspicion” to hold Searles. Their reason? They thought he was heading toward the suspect’s car with keys in hand. However, Searles was clearly identifiable, wearing his janitor uniform and explaining that a woman inside a store owned the car.
This incident sparked anger among bystanders and workers at the Grove Arcade. Many expressed concerns over what seemed like racial profiling. The situation quickly spread online, igniting widespread anger over how the police treat Black people.
Questioning the “Reasonable Suspicion”
The claim of “reasonable suspicion” for detaining Louis Searles needs closer examination. Officers based their reasoning on the weak idea that Searles had keys and approached the suspect car. Yet, Searles had already said the keys were for his car, and he was simply trying to help find the car’s owner.
The police report attempted to blame Searles, saying he heightened the situation by not identifying as an employee. However, Searles’ work shirt clearly had “Quality Janitorial Group” written on it. An independent lawyer noted that officers acted based on assumptions and biases, not facts.
To make matters worse, it later emerged that the “stolen” car was actually a dealership rental, given while the owner’s car was repaired. The woman with the car informed officers of their serious mistake.
Racial Disparities in Asheville Policing
The Louis Searles incident is part of a broader ongoing issue in Asheville’s police practices. Data shows troubling racial differences in how the city’s law enforcement operates.
African Americans in Asheville face a concerning situation—they are three times more likely than white residents to be searched during traffic stops. This statistic highlights the existence of racial profiling.
Overrepresentation in Lower-level Crime Charges
Though Black people make up just 12 percent of Asheville’s population, they account for 33 to 40 percent of charges for minor crimes. These include disorderly conduct, trespassing, and resisting an officer. Such figures raise questions about fairness in law enforcement.
Targeted Policing in Black Communities
The Asheville Police Department’s focus on African-American public housing areas may significantly contribute to these racial differences in arrests. This targeted policing fuels a cycle of excessive enforcement in Black neighborhoods.
Experts on police bias have called Asheville’s racial disparities “disturbing.” Their findings highlight the need for further review and reform within the police department.
The Broader Implications
The Louis Searles event shows the ongoing issues of racial profiling and police brutality in America. It emphasizes the urgent need for changes within law enforcement agencies nationwide.
The repeated targeting of Black individuals by police is not unique to Asheville. Many U.S. cities show similar patterns of racial differences in policing, which reduces trust between law enforcement and communities of color.
Understanding Reasonable Suspicion and Its Misapplication
To grasp the gravity of the situation, it’s essential to understand reasonable suspicion. This legal concept allows officers to stop and question individuals if they have specific facts suggesting criminal activity (Hester Law Group). However, this standard requires more than a hunch; it must be based on observable facts.
In the case of Louis Searles, the officers claimed reasonable suspicion because he approached a car with keys in hand. Yet, Searles wore a janitorial uniform clearly displaying his employer’s name, and he tried to assist the officers. Their actions seem to stem from assumptions rather than solid evidence. This misapplication of reasonable suspicion highlights a significant problem in law enforcement practices.
Implicit Bias and Racial Profiling in Policing
Implicit bias refers to the unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding and actions (National Initiative). In policing, these biases can lead to racial profiling, where individuals are targeted based on race rather than any specific suspicion of wrongdoing (American Civil Liberties Union).
What is Racial Profiling?

Racial Profiling: Police targeting of individuals based on race, ethnicity, or nationality, rather than on individual suspicion. This practice leads to discrimination and violates basic human rights.
Such profiling contributes to the disproportionate stopping and searching of African Americans in Asheville. It perpetuates injustice and erodes trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Over-Policing in Public Housing Areas
The focus of police patrols in predominantly Black public housing areas intensifies these disparities (UN Human Rights Office). Over-policing in these communities leads to higher arrest rates for minor offenses, feeding into a cycle of mistrust.
This approach not only burdens vulnerable populations but also strains community relations. Consequently, residents may feel harassed and less inclined to cooperate with law enforcement, making neighborhoods less safe overall.
The Community’s Response and the Call for Reform
In the aftermath of the Searles incident, community members voiced their outrage. Local activists organized meetings and demanded transparency and accountability from the police department. Their mobilization demonstrates the power of collective action in addressing injustice.
Experts stress the need for significant policing reform (UN Human Rights Office). Implementing stricter use-of-force policies, enhancing training on implicit bias, and establishing independent review boards are essential steps toward change.
Furthermore, releasing body-cam footage swiftly can promote transparency. In this case, delays in releasing the footage fueled public distrust. Open access to such evidence can help hold officers accountable and restore confidence in law enforcement.
Breaking the Cycle of Mistrust
Recurring incidents of misconduct contribute to a cycle of mistrust between police and communities. This ongoing tension makes effective policing difficult and undermines public safety (National Initiative).
Addressing systemic issues requires honest conversations and committed efforts to change. By tackling implicit bias and ensuring accountability, it’s possible to build a more fair relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
FAQ
Q: What happened during the arrest of Louis Searles?
A: Louis Searles, a 63-year-old Black janitor, was violently arrested by Asheville police on December 9, 2024, while trying to assist officers in locating the owner of a reportedly stolen vehicle.
Q: What was the justification for Searles’ arrest?
A: Officers claimed they had “reasonable suspicion” to detain Searles because he was approaching the suspect car with keys, despite him explaining he was trying to help locate the owner of the vehicle.
Q: How did the community react to Searles’ arrest?
A: The arrest sparked outrage among bystanders, leading to accusations of racial profiling and igniting a social media firestorm over the treatment of Black individuals by law enforcement.
Q: Are there broader issues of racial profiling in Asheville?
A: Yes, the Searles incident highlights systemic issues in Asheville, where Black individuals are disproportionately stopped, searched, and charged compared to their white counterparts.
Q: What are the necessary steps to address these issues?
A: Addressing these systemic issues requires fundamental changes in public safety practices, including reevaluating police training, implementing accountability measures, and addressing implicit biases in law enforcement.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.