Dec 13, 2024 Story by: Editor
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – The Louisville Metro government and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have reached a legally binding agreement to overhaul the city’s police department, which federal investigators have accused of engaging in illegal and unconstitutional practices.
Mayor Craig Greenberg’s administration anticipates that the agreement, referred to as a consent decree, will receive approval from a federal judge, initiating a process that city officials aim to complete within five years. An independent monitor, reporting directly to the court, will oversee the department’s compliance and progress.
This 248-page agreement is the culmination of months-long negotiations that began after a 2023 DOJ report concluded that Louisville’s police department and Metro government had engaged in systemic violations of the U.S. Constitution and federal laws. The report highlighted instances of excessive force and searches based on invalid warrants.
Announced Thursday at Metro Hall, the agreement was described by Mayor Greenberg as a “historic” milestone that will “build upon and accelerate” reforms already initiated by the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).
“We are already well on our way to implementing many of the reforms ordered by the DOJ,” said Greenberg. “This consent decree will ensure our officers are committed to protecting the constitutional rights of residents while improving public safety and preventing violent crime for our entire community.”
Key Provisions of the Agreement
The city will appoint the independent monitor, typically a team of experts in law, policing, and related fields, by spring. Louisville has agreed to pay up to $1.475 million annually for the monitor’s services during an initial two-year term. After five years, a federal judge will assess the city’s progress in meeting the terms of the decree.
Under the agreement, LMPD will revise its use-of-force policies, improve training and warrant procedures, ensure lawful traffic stops, conduct fair investigations of police misconduct, and address allegations of sexual harassment, among other reforms.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke expressed confidence that Louisville’s efforts, combined with federal oversight, could meet the five-year goal.
“We recognize and credit the steps the police department has already taken,” Clarke said. “Louisville has not stood by idly.”
City officials noted that LMPD’s proactive reforms helped reduce the costs associated with implementing the decree compared to similar agreements in other cities.
The consent decree outlines 13 specific areas for improvement, including traffic stops, officer training, and community engagement. LMPD must demonstrate “substantial compliance” in each area before the decree is considered fulfilled.
LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey said, “I believe that having an independent monitor gives us an opportunity to have the excellence of our work confirmed for the community. This has to be more than just words on a page. It is a promise to our officers, our professional staff, and our community.”
Broader Concerns
As former President Donald Trump prepares for a potential return to office, some worry the decree could be jeopardized if not finalized soon. During Trump’s first term, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions expressed concerns about the financial and administrative burdens of consent decrees.
Greenberg assured the public of his administration’s commitment to the reforms. “Regardless of who is president or attorney general, we have made a commitment to the people of Louisville,” he said.
Clarke declined to speculate on how future administrations might handle the decree but emphasized the Justice Department’s dedication to addressing the violations uncovered during its investigation.
Background
The DOJ launched its investigation into LMPD nearly a year after the 2020 police killing of Breonna Taylor, which sparked local and national outrage and protests.
In its findings, the DOJ cited 63 instances of alleged misconduct, including racial disparities in arrests and traffic stops, assaults on individuals with disabilities, and dehumanizing language directed at Black residents.
Breonna Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, who attended Thursday’s announcement, stressed the importance of accountability. “We have to stay on top of the situation and definitely make sure that they are doing just what they say that they are doing,” Palmer said.
The agreement, according to city officials, marks a crucial step in addressing long standing issues within LMPD and ensuring a transparent and equitable approach to policing. Source: WDRB
