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US DOJ’s report on Louisville police: Read the violations and recommended reform

By |2023-03-08T16:23:37-05:00March 8th, 2023|Breonna Taylor|

Nearly two years after announcing plans to investigate Louisville Metro and LMPD in the aftermath of the killing of Breonna Taylor, the U.S. Department of Justice released its scathing report Wednesday.The report is 90 pages long, with a lengthy list of reported violations. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland was set to discuss the release at a press conference Wednesday in downtown Louisville.The report includes 36 recommended remedial measures as well, closing by noting the department "has reasonable cause to believe that Louisville Metro and LMPD engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of their rights under the Constitution and federal law. Louisville Metro’s and LMPD’s unlawful practices harm community members and undermine public safety.""We look forward to working with city and police leaders, officers, and the broader Louisville community to stop the unlawful practices, build trust, and ensure that Louisville Metro and LMPD serve and protect the people of Louisville," it concludes.Check out the full report here.View in new tab

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What to know about the 7 Department of Justice findings in Louisville police investigation

By |2023-03-08T14:28:29-05:00March 8th, 2023|Breonna Taylor|

The U.S. Department of Justice revealed its investigative report into the Louisville Metro Police Department Wednesday, which found reasonable cause to believe city government and the department "engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of their rights under the Constitution and federal law."What are the main seven findings of the DOJ report into Louisville police?LMPD uses excessive force, including unjustified neck restraints and the unreasonable use of police dogs and tasers.LMPD conducts searches based on invalid warrants.LMPD unlawfully executes search warrants without knocking and announcing.LMPD unlawfully stops, searches, detains, and arrests people during street enforcement activities, including traffic and pedestrian stops.LMPD unlawfully discriminates against Black people in its enforcement activities.LMPD violates the rights of people engaged in protected speech critical of policing.Louisville Metro and LMPD discriminate against people with behavioral health disabilities when responding to them in crisisHere are more details from those seven findings:'LMPD uses excessive force, including unjustified neck restraints and the unreasonable use of police dogs and tasers'The DOJ found that LMPD officers use "excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment" and "routinely use force disproportionate to the threat or resistance posed."The report also found a lack of clear policy or property oversight in cases of excessive force, as "in the majority of the problematic incidents we evaluated, supervisors reviewed the conduct at issue but failed to identify the misconduct."Specific incidents in the report included dangerous neck restraints, police dogs against people who pose nothreat, with dogs continuing to bite people after they surrender.More:DOJ's report into Louisville police: How people are responding on social mediaThe report also details "unreasonable and unsafe" use of tasers, the use of "takedowns, strikes, and other bodily force in ways that are unnecessary and unlawful" and "escalating behavior that startles, confuses, or angers theindividuals they encounter."'LMPD conducts searches based on invalid warrants'The report found that LMPS "engages in a pattern or practice of seeking search warrants in ways that deprive individuals of their rights under the Fourth Amendment."It added that "a significant number" of the department's search warrant applications "fail to satisfy theconstitutional requirement of being supported by 'probable cause.'"The report detailed specific examples of how these applications "frequently lack the specificity and detail necessary to establish probable cause for the search, are typically overly broad in scope, and fail to establish probable cause for searching everything and everyone listed in the warrant."'LMPD unlawfully executes search warrants without knocking and announcing'The report found that when executing search warrants on private homes, LMPD officers "regularly fail to knock and announce their presence," adding that "these unlawful practices endanger both officers and members of the public."A review of warrants executed on residences from 2016 through 2021 found that LMPD rarely (only 2.5% of the time) requested judicial authorization to execute a warrant without knocking and announcing, but they "still entered homes without knocking and announcing in more than half of the warrant executions we reviewed."The report found that unlawful warrant executions "are the result of poor planning, supervision, andoversight," with the "routine failure to hold officers accountable for failing to complete risk matricesputs officers and the public in needlessly dangerous situations."More:What they said: Notable quotes on Louisville police investigation'LMPD unlawfully stops, searches, detains, and arrests people during street enforcement activities, including traffic and pedestrian stops'The DOJ found that LMPD officers "unlawfully stop, frisk, detain, search, and arrest people during street enforcement activities, such as traffic and pedestrian stops," with these "intrusive encounters" violating the rights of people throughout the city.Documenting different incidents of "unlawful street encounters," the report added that they "are more than mere inconveniences — they can be invasive and humiliating" and "undermine public safety by poisoning the relationship between the police and community."Related:Louisville police promised reforms on traffic stops. Is profiling still happening?'LMPD unlawfully discriminates against Black people in its enforcement activities'The DOJ found reasonable cause to believe LMPD "engages in racial discrimination in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Safe Streets Act," as Black people "disproportionately experience" the conduct criticized throughout the report.This includes officers disproportionately stopping Black drivers for minor traffic offenses and conducting searches, as well as prolonged detentions and arrests for marijuana possession and other minor misdemeanors.The report noted one case where an officer described a Black teenager as a “wild animal that needs to be put down.""In sum, LMPD’s inadequate and dismissive response to racial bias signals that discrimination is tolerated," stated the report. "LMPD’s tolerance of explicit racial bias within its ranks is further evidence of unlawful discrimination."'LMPD violates the rights of people engaged in protected speech critical of policing'The report found that LMPD "often responds aggressively to police-related speech, including by taking actions that could deter a person from criticizing police or assembling in a group to do so."While protests about policing can "pose unique challenges for law enforcement," the report adds that "these factors do not make police protests so inherently violent, lawless, or dangerous as to be entitled less First Amendment protection."'Louisville Metro and LMPD discriminate against people with behavioral health disabilities when responding to them in crisis'The report found LMPD violates the Americans with Disabilities Act by their responses to people with behavioral health disabilities."LMPD fails to reasonably accommodate individuals with behavioral health disabilities during encounters, leading to needless escalation, use of force, avoidable arrest, and serious injury," the report stated. "This discrimination can be avoided through expansion of current Louisville Metro programs, and reasonable modifications of LMPD’s and MetroSafe’s policies and practices."Reach reporter Joe Sonka at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @joesonka.

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‘The time for terrorizing the Black community with no repercussions is over.’ Reactions to LMPD investigation

By |2023-03-08T14:28:33-05:00March 8th, 2023|A Path Forward, Breonna Taylor|

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke Wednesday alongside several officials from Louisville and the Department of Justice to reveal findings from a nearly two-year investigation into the city's government and police department.The 90-page report details issues and violations the department found in its review of Louisville Metro Police, along with recommendations for moving forward.Live updates:Findings of federal investigation into LMPD after Breonna Taylor's killingMore reactions:DOJ's report into Louisville police: How people are responding on social mediaHere are some key moments and quotes from the Wednesday press conference and from community members about the findings.Merrick Garland, US attorney general“This conduct is unacceptable. It is heartbreaking. It erodes the community trust necessary for effective policing, and it is an affront to the vas majority of officers who put their lives on the line every day to serve with honor – and it is an affront to the people of Louisville.”"To the officers of LMPD: The Justice Department is acutely aware of the integral role that law enforcement officers play in our society and the dangers you face to keep your community safe – so it is imperative that your police department sets you up for success."Vanita Gupta, associate attorney general"LMPD’s ability to serve and protect the people of Louisville has been compromised and the findings are deeply troubling and sobering. So we are committed to working with Louisville on a path forward to constitutional policing and stronger police-community trust."Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general"These findings are not based on any one incident or event. They turn on evidence showing long-standing dysfunction at LMPD. The pattern or practice of unlawful conduct compromises LMPD’s ability to serve and protect safely, constitutionally and effectively. Instead, LMPD has practiced an extreme, misdirected and counterproductive style of policing.""Our efforts were exhaustive. We talked to hundreds of people across the city. We rode with officers in their cars on patrol. We spoke with city and union officials, judges and attorneys, advocacy groups, religious leaders and community members from different walks of life. And along with our experts, we've reviewed thousands of documents regarding LMPD’s enforcement activities, and we watch thousands of hours of body-worn camera footage."Craig Greenberg, Louisville mayor"I know some people are surprised and horrified to hear stories about certain officers operating in ways that are so counter to our values as a community. All of this is really hard to hear and hard to accept. It's infuriating. I understand that."I also know there are people who are not surprised to hear the findings in this report, because they see this report as confirmation of complaints they've made about their own interactions with law enforcement, sometimes for years. Many of those spoke out and felt dismissed or devalued. Now, the United States Department of Justice is essentially saying 'Yes, in many cases, you were right. And you deserve better.' That's a powerful thing. I understand that, too."And I know there are people who will look at this report, and they'll be eager to find some way to minimize it. or dismiss it. They'll say it's all politics, or that you could find examples like this in any city. No – this is not about politics or other places. This is about Louisville. This is about our city, our neighbors and how we serve them."Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, interim LMPD chief"This is an extremely challenging and pivotal point for our city, our department and for our officers. Now that the DOJ has concluded their investigation and presented their findings, we will continue our efforts in improving public safety in this beautiful city called Louisville and making LMPD the premier police department in the country."Tamika Palmer, mother of Breonna Taylor"What was confirmed today is that I should still be able to to pick up the phone and reach my oldest daughter Breonna. It took us having to fight day in and day out for years simply because I deserved justice for my daughter’s murder to kickstart this investigation, but today’s findings are an indicator that Breonna’s death is not vain. Our fight will protect future potential victims from LMPD’s racist tactics and behavior. The time for terrorizing the Black community with no repercussions is over."Ben Crump, civil rights attorney who represented Breonna Taylor“The family of Breonna Taylor is encouraged by the findings released today by Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division revealing a pattern of biased policing and a long list of constitutional violations by the Louisville Metro Police Department.“These findings, and LMPD’s expected cooperation with the DOJ’s recommended remedial measures, will help protect the citizens of Louisville and shape its culture of policing. It’s steps like these, and involvement of the Attorney General and the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, that will move our nation forward and prevent future tragedies like the one that took the life of Breonna Taylor and the countless others who have been killed unnecessarily by law enforcement.”Greg Fischer, former Louisville mayor (2011-2022)"Today is another important inflection point to honor the pain of 2020 by further acknowledging – and continuing to act on – the fact that our community deserves a new era of public safety. This era requires the leadership of the many good officers who have dedicated their lives to keep us safe and are committed to working in partnership with the community to develop a new form of constitutionally sound policing embraced by all our city’s residents."Since the summer of 2020, I have emphasized that public safety in Louisville and across America is at an inflection point. Without fundamental and widespread changes in police culture, resources, resident involvement and resulting police-community legitimacy, our city and nation will continue to needlessly endure tragedy after tragedy. National events since the summer of 2020 bear witness to this conclusion."Hannah Drake, Louisville poet and activist"The reform is only as good as the people executing them. So here’s my question that I really want to know. ... how many of those same officers are still employed at LMPD? What changes? Are those people going to magically go home and say you know what, let’s stop calling Black people monkeys and animals."Tim Findley Jr., pastor at Kingdom Fellowship Christian Life Center“Locally, what people have been saying for years has now been elevated on a national stage." “What I found most interesting was that they talked about Black people. They didn't say Black and brown. They didn't say other communities. Black people were targeted and terrorized. And that is a huge, huge reality that leadership, that the FOP must deal with, that Black people have been terrorized in Louisville for a very long time.”Sadiqa Reynolds, former CEO of the Louisville Urban League"It is what we said it was and worse. We know every officer is not corrupt but we recognize that the system is, so even the good ones do harm in their attempts to stand behind the shield in silence. The system does not allow for the humanization of Black people. There is nowhere in this city where we can be safe, not even in our homes. Policing itself is flawed but this department worked hard to go backward over the past several years. It works against Black residents, and authorizes and condones our abuse. There have been no significant consequences and no real accountability. There can never be justice without truth. And for many of us, the unrest has settled into our souls because we could not get anyone to give us the full truth. There must be some sort of racial reckoning for the Black community in Louisville. We deserve acknowledgment and accountability from the leaders in this city. I think I speak for many Louisvillians when I say, I am thankful for this thorough investigation and report. Now, I look forward to the hard work of change."Ted Shouse, Louisville attorney"Systemic racial discrimination by LMPD is recognized and proven in this report. Many of us had known this for years and today that knowledge is validated and respected. ... It is only through the recognition of these facts, that we can hope to have any path forward."Morgan McGarvey, U.S. congressman for Louisville“Excessive use of force and racial profiling in the Louisville Metro Police Department will continue to plague our community until we take decisive action to create true, lasting change. We simply cannot afford to wait."“Today’s report is a long overdue step in the right direction to hold our law enforcement accountable, but it does nothing to undo the centuries of systemic injustice Black communities have endured. We must commit to change, accountability, and justice for Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tyre Nichols, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, and the far too many others who were killed by police.”

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‘Disrespect for the people’: Merrick Garland issues scathing report into LMPD practices

By |2023-03-08T13:26:29-05:00March 8th, 2023|Breonna Taylor|

The U.S. Department of Justice released scathing findings from its "pattern-or-practice” investigation into Louisville Metro Police on Wednesday.The department, for years, "has practiced an aggressive style of policing that it deploys selectively, especially against Black people, but also against vulnerable people throughout the city," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said during a press conference from Metro Hall on Wednesday morning. "LMPD cites people for minor offenses, like wide turns and broken taillights, while serious crimes like sexual assault and homicide go unsolved."Some officers demonstrate disrespect for the people they are sworn to protect."The 90-page report found the department:Uses excessive force, including unjustified neck restraints and unreasonable use of police dogs and tasersConducts searches based on invalid warrants.Unlawfully executes warrants without knocking and announcing.Unlawfully stops, searches, detains and arrests people during traffic and pedestrian stops.Violates the rights of people engaged in protected speech critical of policing.Discriminates against people with behavioral health disabilities while responding to crises.Garland said the Justice Department, Louisville Metro Government and Metro Police have agreed in principle to negotiate a consent decree.The Justice Department has proposed 36 remedial measures LMPD can take.The probe began after Breonna Taylor’s death and accusations of unconstitutional behavior and discrimination. Garland announced in April 2021 that police departments in Louisville and Minneapolis would face federal investigations. Both cities saw mass protests in 2020 as news of the police killings of two Black residents – Taylor in Louisville and George Floyd in Minneapolis − reverberated around the world. While Garland said the Minneapolis probe was prompted by Floyd’s May 2020 death in which an officer kneeled on his neck for over nine minutes, he did not indicate then whether Louisville's investigation was prompted by the shooting of Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency room technician who was killed during a March 2020 narcotics raid at her apartment that turned up no drugs or money.  DOJ indictments in Breonna Taylor case:Experts predict who has the edge, the feds or the charged officersThe FBI also has been investigating Taylor’s killing separately. The DOJ also has charged several Louisville officers in separate cases since 2020, including four former LMPD personnel in early August on charges either of lying on the warrant obtained to search Taylor’s home, obstructing investigators or — in the case of ex-Detective Brett Hankison — firing bullets that entered a neighboring apartment. Various local officials, including former Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and former LMPD Chief Erika Shields, who took over as leader of the department in January 2021 but resigned at the start of 2023 as new Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg took office, had said they welcomed the DOJ probe as part of the city’s push to improve its police department and relationships with residents. (Greenberg picked Deputy Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel to serve as his interim LMPD chief as he takes office and searches for a permanent chief.)In early September, Fischer and Shields both said the city has "not waited" in implementing various reforms.DOJ police department investigations:Are Department of Justice investigations a path to police reform or 'a war on cops'?Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, previously tweeted that “I can’t wait for the world to see Louisville Police Department for what it really is,” in response to the DOJ’s announced investigation. No officers were directly indicted and prosecuted by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s office for Taylor’s death, though several were later fired or submitted resignations. Hankison was charged at the state level in 2020 with wanton endangerment for firing bullets that went into an apartment neighboring Taylor's that was occupied by three people, and a jury acquitted him in March. What happened to Breonna Taylor?Breonna Taylor died after several LMPD officers forced their way into her southwest Louisville apartment with a battering ram around 12:40 a.m. March 13, 2020, with a search warrant to look for drugs and cash as part of a larger narcotics investigation connected to her ex-boyfriend, Jamarcus Glover. Breonna Taylor fact check:Separating the rumors from the factsTaylor’s boyfriend at the time of her death, Kenneth Walker, fired a single shot from his legally owned handgun at the door as officers busted it down, telling investigators later that he feared intruders, not police, were breaking in. Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly was hit by Walker’s shot and fired six rounds in response. Detective Myles Cosgrove fired 16 shots, and Hankison fired 10 shots. Six of those bullets struck Taylor, with Cosgrove firing the fatal shot, the FBI concluded. What has happened since Breonna Taylor's death?The case led cities and states to pass laws banning or limiting no-knock search warrants, and it resulted in various changes and reforms, some still pending, at LMPD following a $12 million settlement the city reached with the Taylor family. In November, the city also settled with Walker for $2 million after he sued Louisville and several of the officers who were part of the 2020 raid.LMPD and Metro Government leaders said the city has made changes and reforms since 2020, including fixes in response to a review of the police department from Chicago-based consulting firm Hillard Heintze.The 2021 report from Hillard Heintze made 102 recommendations to turn around a department it found had failed to establish mutual trust and provide equitable treatment across Louisville's neighborhoods.A dashboard on LMPD's website most recently showed that 37% of the Hillard Heintze recommendations had been "implemented" and 47% were "in process," with others still under review.Breonna Taylor shootingA 2-year timeline shows how her death has changed usCity officials estimated in 2021 that reforms at LMPD prompted by the DOJ investigation could cost Louisville up to $10 million annually, and the city directed some federal American Rescue Plan funds to that area. The changes have already included a new Accountability and Improvement Bureau at LMPD and launch of an early warning system for officers after years of delays.This story will be updated.

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What they said: Notable quotes from press conference on Louisville police investigation

By |2023-03-08T13:26:38-05:00March 8th, 2023|A Path Forward, Breonna Taylor|

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke Wednesday alongside several officials from Louisville and the Department of Justice to reveal findings from a nearly two-year investigation into the city's government and police department.The 90-page report details issues and violations the department found in its review of Louisville Metro Police, along with recommendations for moving forward.Live updates:Findings of federal investigation into LMPD after Breonna Taylor's killingMore reactions:DOJ's report into Louisville police: How people are responding on social mediaHere are some key moments and quotes from the Wednesday press conference and from community members about the findings.Merrick Garland, US attorney general“This conduct is unacceptable. It is heartbreaking. It erodes the community trust necessary for effective policing, and it is an affront to the vas majority of officers who put their lives on the line every day to serve with honor – and it is an affront to the people of Louisville.”"To the officers of LMPD: The Justice Department is acutely aware of the integral role that law enforcement officers play in our society and the dangers you face to keep your community safe – so it is imperative that your police department sets you up for success."Vanita Gupta, associate attorney general"LMPD’s ability to serve and protect the people of Louisville has been compromised and the findings are deeply troubling and sobering. So we are committed to working with Louisville on a path forward to constitutional policing and stronger police-community trust."Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general"These findings are not based on any one incident or event. They turn on evidence showing long-standing dysfunction at LMPD. The pattern or practice of unlawful conduct compromises LMPD’s ability to serve and protect safely, constitutionally and effectively. Instead, LMPD has practiced an extreme, misdirected and counterproductive style of policing.""Our efforts were exhaustive. We talked to hundreds of people across the city. We rode with officers in their cars on patrol. We spoke with city and union officials, judges and attorneys, advocacy groups, religious leaders and community members from different walks of life. And along with our experts, we've reviewed thousands of documents regarding LMPD’s enforcement activities, and we watch thousands of hours of body-worn camera footage."Craig Greenberg, Louisville mayor"I know some people are surprised and horrified to hear stories about certain officers operating in ways that are so counter to our values as a community. All of this is really hard to hear and hard to accept. It's infuriating. I understand that."I also know there are people who are not surprised to hear the findings in this report, because they see this report as confirmation of complaints they've made about their own interactions with law enforcement, sometimes for years. Many of those spoke out and felt dismissed or devalued. Now, the United States Department of Justice is essentially saying 'Yes, in many cases, you were right. And you deserve better.' That's a powerful thing. I understand that, too."And I know there are people who will look at this report, and they'll be eager to find some way to minimize it. or dismiss it. They'll say it's all politics, or that you could find examples like this in any city. No – this is not about politics or other places. This is about Louisville. This is about our city, our neighbors and how we serve them."Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, interim LMPD chief"This is an extremely challenging and pivotal point for our city, our department and for our officers. Now that the DOJ has concluded their investigation and presented their findings, we will continue our efforts in improving public safety in this beautiful city called Louisville and making LMPD the premier police department in the country."Tamika Palmer, mother of Breonna Taylor"What was confirmed today is that I should still be able to to pick up the phone and reach my oldest daughter Breonna. It took us having to fight day in and day out for years simply because I deserved justice for my daughter’s murder to kickstart this investigation, but today’s findings are an indicator that Breonna’s death is not vain. Our fight will protect future potential victims from LMPD’s racist tactics and behavior. The time for terrorizing the Black community with no repercussions is over."Ben Crump, civil rights attorney who represented Breonna Taylor“The family of Breonna Taylor is encouraged by the findings released today by Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division revealing a pattern of biased policing and a long list of constitutional violations by the Louisville Metro Police Department.“These findings, and LMPD’s expected cooperation with the DOJ’s recommended remedial measures, will help protect the citizens of Louisville and shape its culture of policing. It’s steps like these, and involvement of the Attorney General and the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, that will move our nation forward and prevent future tragedies like the one that took the life of Breonna Taylor and the countless others who have been killed unnecessarily by law enforcement.”Greg Fischer, former Louisville mayor (2011-2022)"Today is another important inflection point to honor the pain of 2020 by further acknowledging – and continuing to act on – the fact that our community deserves a new era of public safety. This era requires the leadership of the many good officers who have dedicated their lives to keep us safe and are committed to working in partnership with the community to develop a new form of constitutionally sound policing embraced by all our city’s residents."Since the summer of 2020, I have emphasized that public safety in Louisville and across America is at an inflection point. Without fundamental and widespread changes in police culture, resources, resident involvement and resulting police-community legitimacy, our city and nation will continue to needlessly endure tragedy after tragedy. National events since the summer of 2020 bear witness to this conclusion."Hannah Drake, Louisville poet and activist"The reform is only as good as the people executing them. So here’s my question that I really want to know. ... how many of those same officers are still employed at LMPD? What changes? Are those people going to magically go home and say you know what, let’s stop calling Black people monkeys and animals."Tim Findley Jr., pastor at Kingdom Fellowship Christian Life Center“Locally, what people have been saying for years has now been elevated on a national stage." “What I found most interesting was that they talked about Black people. They didn't say Black and brown. They didn't say other communities. Black people were targeted and terrorized. And that is a huge, huge reality that leadership, that the FOP must deal with, that Black people have been terrorized in Louisville for a very long time.”Sadiqa Reynolds, former CEO of the Louisville Urban League"It is what we said it was and worse. We know every officer is not corrupt but we recognize that the system is, so even the good ones do harm in their attempts to stand behind the shield in silence. The system does not allow for the humanization of Black people. There is nowhere in this city where we can be safe, not even in our homes. Policing itself is flawed but this department worked hard to go backward over the past several years. It works against Black residents, and authorizes and condones our abuse. There have been no significant consequences and no real accountability. There can never be justice without truth. And for many of us, the unrest has settled into our souls because we could not get anyone to give us the full truth. There must be some sort of racial reckoning for the Black community in Louisville. We deserve acknowledgment and accountability from the leaders in this city. I think I speak for many Louisvillians when I say, I am thankful for this thorough investigation and report. Now, I look forward to the hard work of change."Ted Shouse, Louisville attorney"Systemic racial discrimination by LMPD is recognized and proven in this report. Many of us had known this for years and today that knowledge is validated and respected. ... It is only through the recognition of these facts, that we can hope to have any path forward."Morgan McGarvey, U.S. congressman for Louisville“Excessive use of force and racial profiling in the Louisville Metro Police Department will continue to plague our community until we take decisive action to create true, lasting change. We simply cannot afford to wait."“Today’s report is a long overdue step in the right direction to hold our law enforcement accountable, but it does nothing to undo the centuries of systemic injustice Black communities have endured. We must commit to change, accountability, and justice for Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tyre Nichols, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, and the far too many others who were killed by police.”

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Justice Dept. Finds Pattern of ‘Discriminatory’ Policing in Louisville

By |2023-03-08T12:23:21-05:00March 8th, 2023|Breonna Taylor|

The review, undertaken after a specialized unit killed Breonna Taylor in a botched raid in 2020, paints a damning portrait of a department in crisis.WASHINGTON — The police department in Louisville, Ky., engaged in a yearslong pattern of discriminatory law enforcement practices, the Justice Department said on Wednesday after conducting a two-year investigation prompted by the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor by the police in 2020.Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, appearing in Louisville alongside the city’s mayor and acting police chief, announced an agreement to overhaul policing practices he said had led to systemic discrimination against Black people, including Ms. Taylor. Ms. Taylor, a Black medical worker, was shot and killed by police officers assigned to a drug enforcement unit in March 2020 during a botched raid of her apartment.In a damning 90-page report, investigators painted a grim portrait of the Louisville Metro Police Department, detailing a variety of serious abuses, including excessive force; searches based on invalid and so-called no-knock warrants; unlawful car stops, detentions and harassment of people during street sweeps; and broad patterns of discrimination against Black people and people with behavioral health problems.“The L.M.P.D.’s conduct has undermined its public safety mission and strained its relationship with the community it is meant to protect and serve,” Mr. Garland said.The Justice Department’s findings, he said, were succinctly captured by an unnamed Louisville police leader interviewed during the investigation:“Breonna Taylor was a symptom of problems we have had for years.”Justice Department investigators also found widespread problems in the way the police handled investigations of domestic violence and sexual assault cases, including allegations of sexual misconduct or domestic violence against law enforcement officers.Mr. Garland said that his investigators also uncovered instances of blatant racism against Black Louisville residents, including the disproportionate use of traffic stops in Black neighborhoods — and even the use of racist epithets like “monkey,” “animal” and “boy.”Kristen Clarke, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, said that the targeting of Black people for traffic stops and searches turned conventional law enforcement practices into “weapons of oppression, submission and fear.”The Louisville investigation is one of several so-called pattern or practice investigations into potentially discriminatory policing around the country that have been opened under Mr. Garland.The investigation and report, which are likely to lead to a consent decree by both parties, are separate from the federal criminal investigation into the conduct of the members of a drug enforcement unit who broke down the door to Ms. Taylor’s apartment, killing her as they engaged in a shootout with her boyfriend.Some of the reforms outlined by Mr. Garland have already been undertaken. After Ms. Taylor’s death, the department banned “no-knock” warrants, which allowed officers to break into a residence without warning. Officials have also expanded their use of counseling and training for officers and appointed an inspector general to review the department’s practices.“We will not make excuses, we will make changes,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg of Louisville, a Democrat who took office in January.Mr. Greenberg vowed to embrace an overhaul of the department’s practices.He called the abuses outlined in the report “a betrayal of the integrity and professionalism that the overwhelming majority of our officers bring to their job every day and every night.”

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Live updates: Findings of federal investigation into LMPD after Breonna Taylor’s killing revealed

By |2023-03-08T12:23:46-05:00March 8th, 2023|Breonna Taylor, David McAtee|

The Courier Journal has learned that the U.S. Department of Justice is set to announce the findings of a sweeping investigation of Louisville Metro and the city's police department on Wednesday, the result of a nearly two-year probe following the killing of Breonna Taylor.The investigation, announced in April 2021 after nearly a year of protests over Taylor's killing at the hands of LMPD officers, aimed to assess "all types of force" used by local police, including potential violations of the First Amendment, whether the department engages in discriminatory policing and whether it worked in violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.READ THE REPORT:US Department of Justice release on Louisville police violations and recommended reform"The investigation will include a comprehensive review of LMPD policies, training, and supervision, as well as LMPD’s systems of accountability, including misconduct complaint intake, investigation, review, disposition, and discipline," the department's announcement on April 26, 2021, said.U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland met with city officials in the morning before a planned press conference at 11 a.m. in downtown Louisville. Garland was set to speak alongside Assistant Attorneys General Vanita Gupta and Kristen Clarke along with Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and Louisville Metro Police interim Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel.Updates from Wednesday's press conferenceAt the press conference, Garland said the U.S. Department of Justice and city of Louisville had agreed to negotiate a consent decree to establish a reform.The 90-page report released includes 36 recommended remedial measures and a lengthy list of reported violations by the department, including discriminatory policing and use of excessive force.Violations, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said, include a pattern of practice thta did not comply with the Constitution and federal law, including excessive force such as unjustified neck restraints and use of police dogs and tasers against people who posed no imminent threat, searches through invalid warrants that were executed without officers announcing their presence. Officers routinely discriminated against Black people and violated the rights of people engaged in protected speech, she said, and "disproportionately subjecting Black residents to unlawful policing."“This conduct is unacceptable. It is heartbreaking. It erodes the community trust necessary for effective policing, and it is an affront to the vast majority of officers who put their lives on the line every day to serve with honor – and it is an affront to the people of Louisville," Garland said.Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, who said the report "paints a painful picture about LMPD's past," said some people will be "surprised or horrified" by the findings, while others will not be surprised "because they see this report is confirmation of complaints they've made about their own interactions with law enforcement, sometimes for years." Others, he said "will look at this report and they'll be eager to find some way to minimize it or dismiss it.""They'll say it's all politics, or that you could find examples like this in any city," Greenberg said. "No – this is not about politics or other places. This is about Louisville., This is about our city, our neighbors and how we serve them."Community meeting Wednesday nightGreenberg said Louisville plans to host a virtual community meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday night to discuss the findings.Department of Justice releases investigation on LMPD, Louisville MetroThe full investigation is 90 pages long and outlines violations in the department along with recommended changes.Check out the full release from the U.S. Department of Justice here.What happened in the Breonna Taylor caseTaylor, a 26-year-old emergency room technician in Louisville, was shot and killed by LMPD officers serving a no-knock warrant at her apartment in the early-morning hours of March 13, 2020. Her death was a key factor behind national protests that summer over police killings of Black Americans and was at the center of months of demonstrations in Louisville, and Wednesday's announcement comes nearly three years after the fatal shooting.After Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and his team of prosecutors presented the shooting to a grand jury, just one officer who fired their weapon that night was indicted locally – Brett Hankison, on wanton endangerment charges stemming from rounds he fired that entered a neighbor's apartment. He was acquitted in March 2022.In August 2022, however, four former officers were indicted by a federal grand jury – Hankison, on excessive force charges, along with Joshua Jaynes, Kelly Ann Goodlett and Kyle Meany, who were accused of taking steps to falsify the warrant used in the raid at Taylor's apartment. Goodlett later pleaded guilty, while charges against the other former officers are still pending.Steve Conrad, who was LMPD's chief at the time of Taylor's death, was fired in June 2020 after local barbecue stand owner David McAtee was shot and killed by law enforcement officials breaking up a crowd near his business on an early night of the protests. He was fired by then-Mayor Greg Fischer after it was determined officers were not wearing operational body cameras at the time of that shooting. Fischer faced intense pressure to step down amid the 2020 protests but remained in office until his third and final term expired at the end of 2022.The city of Louisville later settled with Taylor's family for $12 million and agreed to a number of police reforms.Reach The Courier Journal's breaking news team at [email protected].

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‘Disrespect for the people.’ Garland issues scathing report into LMPD practices

By |2023-03-08T12:23:47-05:00March 8th, 2023|Breonna Taylor|

The U.S. Department of Justice released scathing findings Wednesday from its "pattern-or-practice” investigation into Louisville Metro Police on Wednesday.The department, for years, "has practiced an aggressive style of policing that it deploys selectively, especially against Black people, but also against vulnerable people throughout the city," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said during a press conference from Metro Hall on Wednesday morning. "LMPD cites people for minor offenses, like wide turns and broken taillights, while serious crimes like sexual assault and homicide go unsolved."Some officers demonstrate disrespect for the people they are sworn to protect."The 90-page report found the department:Uses excessive force, including unjustified neck restraints and unreasonable use of police dogs and tasersConducts searches based on invalid warrants.Unlawfully executes warrants without knocking and announcing.Unlawfully stops, searches, detains and arrests people during traffic and pedestrian stops.Violates the rights of people engaged in protected speech critical of policing.Discriminates against people with behavioral health disabilities while responding to crises.Garland said the Justice Department, Louisville Metro Government and Metro Police have agreed in principle to negotiate a consent decree.The Justice Department has proposed 36 remedial measures LMPD can take.The probe began after Breonna Taylor’s death and accusations of unconstitutional behavior and discrimination. Garland announced in April 2021 that police departments in Louisville and Minneapolis would face federal investigations. Both cities saw mass protests in 2020 as news of the police killings of two Black residents – Taylor in Louisville and George Floyd in Minneapolis − reverberated around the world. While Garland said the Minneapolis probe was prompted by Floyd’s May 2020 death in which an officer kneeled on his neck for over nine minutes, he did not indicate then whether Louisville's investigation was prompted by the shooting of Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency room technician who was killed during a March 2020 narcotics raid at her apartment that turned up no drugs or money.  DOJ indictments in Breonna Taylor case:Experts predict who has the edge, the feds or the charged officersThe FBI also has been investigating Taylor’s killing separately. The DOJ also has charged several Louisville officers in separate cases since 2020, including four former LMPD personnel in early August on charges either of lying on the warrant obtained to search Taylor’s home, obstructing investigators or — in the case of ex-Detective Brett Hankison — firing bullets that entered a neighboring apartment. Various local officials, including former Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and former LMPD Chief Erika Shields, who took over as leader of the department in January 2021 but resigned at the start of 2023 as new Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg took office, had said they welcomed the DOJ probe as part of the city’s push to improve its police department and relationships with residents. (Greenberg picked Deputy Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel to serve as his interim LMPD chief as he takes office and searches for a permanent chief.)In early September, Fischer and Shields both said the city has "not waited" in implementing various reforms.DOJ police department investigations:Are Department of Justice investigations a path to police reform or 'a war on cops'?Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, previously tweeted that “I can’t wait for the world to see Louisville Police Department for what it really is,” in response to the DOJ’s announced investigation. No officers were directly indicted and prosecuted by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s office for Taylor’s death, though several were later fired or submitted resignations. Hankison was charged at the state level in 2020 with wanton endangerment for firing bullets that went into an apartment neighboring Taylor's that was occupied by three people, and a jury acquitted him in March. What happened to Breonna Taylor?Breonna Taylor died after several LMPD officers forced their way into her southwest Louisville apartment with a battering ram around 12:40 a.m. March 13, 2020, with a search warrant to look for drugs and cash as part of a larger narcotics investigation connected to her ex-boyfriend, Jamarcus Glover. Breonna Taylor fact check:Separating the rumors from the factsTaylor’s boyfriend at the time of her death, Kenneth Walker, fired a single shot from his legally owned handgun at the door as officers busted it down, telling investigators later that he feared intruders, not police, were breaking in. Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly was hit by Walker’s shot and fired six rounds in response. Detective Myles Cosgrove fired 16 shots, and Hankison fired 10 shots. Six of those bullets struck Taylor, with Cosgrove firing the fatal shot, the FBI concluded. What has happened since Breonna Taylor's death?The case led cities and states to pass laws banning or limiting no-knock search warrants, and it resulted in various changes and reforms, some still pending, at LMPD following a $12 million settlement the city reached with the Taylor family. In November, the city also settled with Walker for $2 million after he sued Louisville and several of the officers who were part of the 2020 raid.LMPD and Metro Government leaders said the city has made changes and reforms since 2020, including fixes in response to a review of the police department from Chicago-based consulting firm Hillard Heintze.The 2021 report from Hillard Heintze made 102 recommendations to turn around a department it found had failed to establish mutual trust and provide equitable treatment across Louisville's neighborhoods.A dashboard on LMPD's website most recently showed that 37% of the Hillard Heintze recommendations had been "implemented" and 47% were "in process," with others still under review.Breonna Taylor shootingA 2-year timeline shows how her death has changed usCity officials estimated in 2021 that reforms at LMPD prompted by the DOJ investigation could cost Louisville up to $10 million annually, and the city directed some federal American Rescue Plan funds to that area. The changes have already included a new Accountability and Improvement Bureau at LMPD and launch of an early warning system for officers after years of delays.This story will be updated.

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DOJ’s report into Louisville police: How people are responding on social media

By |2023-03-08T12:23:48-05:00March 8th, 2023|Breonna Taylor|

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the findings of a sweeping investigation of Louisville's police department on Wednesday, the result of a nearly two-year probe following the killing of Breonna Taylor.The investigation, announced in April 2021 after nearly a year of protests over Taylor's killing at the hands of LMPD officers, aimed to assess "all types of force" used by local police, including potential violations of the First Amendment, whether the department engages in discriminatory policing and whether it worked in violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.Live updates:Findings of federal investigation into LMPD after Breonna Taylor's killing coming WednesdayTwitter reaction to LMPD, Breonna Taylor findings

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DOJ announces it will review Memphis Police Department following Tyre Nichols’ death as more video will be released

By |2023-03-08T13:20:55-05:00March 8th, 2023|Breonna Taylor|

CNN  —  [Breaking news update, published at 1:09 p.m. ET] The release of additional audio and video in the police beating death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis will be delayed amid a legal challenge, according to a court order. A hearing on the issue is set for Wednesday afternoon after a motion was filed by an attorney for one of the former officers charged in Nichols’ death, Allison Fouche, spokesperson for the Memphis mayor’s office, told CNN. The order comes in response to a motion filed by Blake Ballin, an attorney for Desmond Mills Jr. [Previous story, published at 12:43 p.m. ET] The planned release of hours of additional video from the traffic stop that led to the deadly police beating of Tyre Nichols is on hold amid a legal challenge from one of the former officers charged in Nichols’ death. A hearing on the issue is set to take place Wednesday afternoon after a motion was filed by the ex-officer’s attorney, Allison Fouche, a spokesperson for the Memphis mayor’s office, told CNN. Officials were expected to release Wednesday about 20 more hours of footage from the night of the beating in early January, along with some records from the city’s now-finished internal probe into 13 police officers and four fire department personnel, a Memphis official said. The official revealed Tuesday that a seventh police officer has been fired and others were suspended or left the force after the brutal encounter in the western Tennessee city. Previously, authorities said six officers were fired, five of whom have been criminally charged. The city’s internal investigations into the beatings have finished, so the city intends to release the additional video footage Wednesday afternoon, Memphis Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Sink told a city council committee Tuesday morning. The unreleased footage most notably will include audio of what was said after the beating and after an ambulance took Nichols to a hospital, and it could play an investigative role as his office contemplates additional charges, the county prosecutor previously told CNN. News of the defense attorney’s legal challenge Wednesday came soon after the Department of Justice announced it will perform a review of the Memphis Police Department in the wake of Nichols’ death. The review, requested by the mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, and the city’s police chief, will cover “policies, practices, training, data, and processes related to MPD’s use-of-force, de-escalation, and specialized units,” according to a news release from the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. A public report outlining the office’s findings and recommendations will be made public at the end of the review, the release states. The announcement Memphis came shortly before the DOJ issued a scathing critique of the Louisville Metro Police Department following a separate two-year review of that agency after the botched raid that killed Breonna Taylor. Footage release earlier contradicted police statements Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, was repeatedly punched and kicked by Memphis police officers following a traffic stop and brief pursuit on foot on January 7. Nichols was hospitalized after the beating and died three days later. Five police officers, who are also Black, were fired following an internal investigation and were indicted on criminal charges January 26. Body camera videos and surveillance footage from the arrest were released on January 27, showing the severity of the beating to the public and drawing widespread condemnation from residents and police officials alike. The video shook a nation long accustomed to videos of police brutality – especially against people of color – and spurred protests and vigils in Memphis and other major US cities. The video released in January contradicted what officers said happened in the initial police report filed after Nichols’ beating, the county prosecutor said, and prompted renewed national debate on justice in policing and reform. The Memphis City Council on Tuesday passed several public safety ordinances related to policing. Among them was one that established an “annual independent review” of the police department’s training academy, and another that established an independent review process for use of force incidents, as well as the deaths or serious injury of people in custody. In early February Shelby County prosecutor Steven Mulroy told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer the video released in January shows “the relevant parts” of the initial stop and the beating after the foot chase, but the yet-to-be-released footage could play a role in investigations. Potential charges of “false reporting” related to the initial police report were being investigated, Erica Williams, a spokesperson for Mulroy’s office, told CNN around the same time. When asked whether anyone new will face criminal charges now that the city’s investigation is finished, Williams said Tuesday: “Not at this time.” Mulroy’s office previously told CNN it would wait for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to conclude an investigation before deciding on more charges. A 7th officer was fired, and one who retired likely would have been, too, city attorney says The city will also release Wednesday some records related to the internal probes of the 13 police officers and four fire department personnel, including documents indicating what they were being investigated for, Sink said. Other investigative files have information that needs to be redacted, and will be posted online when that is completed, she added without giving a timeline. But Sink already announced the bottom line on Tuesday: Seven police officers were fired, three were suspended, one retired and two had their investigations dropped as result of the probes, she said. That was the first time the city announced a seventh officer was fired. That person’s name, and details about what the officer is accused of doing, weren’t immediately released. Also, the officer who retired likely would have been terminated, Sink said without elaborating about what that officer was accused of doing. The city has previously said that three Memphis fire department personnel who responded to the scene – two emergency medical technicians and a fire lieutenant – were fired, though none was criminally charged. On Tuesday, Sink said a fourth fire department worker was suspended. Sink did not elaborate. The two fired EMTs did not conduct a primary examination of Nichols for the first 19 minutes they were on scene, and the lieutenant stayed in a fire truck, according to a state emergency medical services board. A council member asked Sink whether anyone who struck Nichols was still part of either the police department or fire department. “No. All of those officers … have been charged criminally,” Sink said. Those five former Memphis police officers indicted in January were arraigned February 17 on criminal charges. Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr. each face charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. Second-degree murder in Tennessee is considered a Class A felony punishable by 15 to 60 years in prison. Their attorneys entered not guilty pleas on their behalf. They are due back in court on May 1. The five charged officers were part of the department’s specialized SCORPION unit, which was launched in 2021 to take on a rise in violent crime in Memphis. Memphis police announced the unit would be permanently deactivated shortly after video of Nichols’ arrest was released in January, and the DOJ said Wednesday it would separately review specialized units across the US and create a guide for their use in addition to its review of the Memphis Police Department. Shortly after video of Nichols’ arrest was released in January, Memphis police announced the unit would be permanently deactivated as a sign the department was taking “proactive steps in the healing process for all impacted.” Police in February identified a sixth officer who was fired. Preston Hemphill, who is White, saying he was accused of violating departmental policies including those covering personal conduct and truthfulness. Seven officers – beyond the six who’d been fired at the time – were facing disciplinary action for policy violations, Sink said February 7. Tuesday’s announcement covers the discipline decisions for all 13. In addition, two Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were at the scene were suspended for five days each without pay for their parts in the case, according to a sheriff’s office news release obtained by CNN affiliate WHBQ. CNN’s Pamela Kirkland, Shimon Prokupecz and Nick Valencia contributed to this report.

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