A report issued Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice found that the Louisville Metro Police Department in Kentucky has violated federal law though a pattern of inappropriate conduct.
“Some officers have videotaped themselves throwing drinks at pedestrians from their cars; insulted people with disabilities; and called Black people ‘monkeys,’ ‘animal,’ and ‘boy.’ This conduct erodes community trust, and the unlawful practices of LMPD and Louisville Metro undermine public safety,” said the report.
Louisville police garnered national attention when cops on the force shot and killed 26-year-old medical worker Breonna Taylor while conducting a no-knock warrant in 2020. After Taylor’s death protestors called for repercussions.
According to the Justice Department, a “comprehensive investigation” of the department and the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government began in April 2021. Career attorneys and staff in the Civil Rights Division and the U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky conducted the investigation.
Investigators conducted numerous onsite tours as well as interviews of LMPD officers, supervisors, and command staff. They also conducted ride-alongs, a review of thousands of documents and review of thousands of hours of body-worn camera footage.
Through the investigation, the DOJ found that the police department: executes search warrants without knocking and announcing; uses excessive force, including unjustified neck restraints and the unreasonable use of police dogs and tasers; conducts searches based on invalid warrants; unlawfully stops, searches, detains, and arrests people during street enforcement activities, unlawfully discriminates against Black people in its enforcement activities; violates the rights of people engaged in protected free speech critical of policing; and discriminates against people with behavioral health disabilities when responding to them in crisis.
It also found that “LMPD’s response to and investigation of domestic violence and sexual assault, including its responses to allegations that LMPD officers engaged in sexual misconduct or domestic violence,” had deficiencies.
“This unacceptable and unconstitutional conduct erodes the community trust necessary for effective policing. It is also an affront to the vast majority of officers who put their lives on the line to serve Louisville with honor,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “And it is an affront to the people of Louisville who deserve better. The Justice Department will work closely with Louisville Metro and LMPD to negotiate toward a consent decree and durable reforms that protect both the safety and civil rights of Louisville’s residents.”
According to the Justice Department, the Louisville police and the municipal government cooperated fully with the investigation. In its report, the department acknowledged that the Louisville government and LMPD have made some changes to address the issues. Additional remedial measures have been identified.
“The Department also announced that it has entered into an agreement in principle with Louisville Metro and LMPD, which have committed to resolving the department’s findings through a court-enforceable consent decree with an independent monitor, rather than contested litigation,” said the Department of Justice.
Individuals who have recommendations for the Louisville Police Department may submit recommendations by email at Community.Louisville@usdoj.gov or by phone at 1-844-920-1460.
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