Louisville police engaged in pattern of unlawful and discriminatory conduct, DOJ finds

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: ABC News

A nearly two-year civil rights investigation into the Louisville, Kentucky, police department and Louisville Metro Government, touched off by the killing of Breonna Taylor, found the city and law enforcement engaged in a pattern of unlawful and discriminatory conduct, depriving people of their constitutional liberties, the Department of Justice announced on Wednesday.

"This conduct is unacceptable and it is heartbreaking," Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a press conference, outlining a damning portrait of the Louisville police as he announced the findings of the civil rights investigation. "It erodes the community trust necessary for effective policing. It is an affront to the vast majority of officers who put their lives on the line every day to serve Louisville with honor and it is an affront to the people of Louisville who deserve better," Garland said.

He said that Louisville has signed an agreement in principle with the DOJ to negotiate toward a legally binding consent decree that will include the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee a series of reforms to address the problems that investigators uncovered. The DOJ plans to hold a virtual community meeting on Wednesday night to discuss their findings with Louisville residents.

The department launched its pattern or practice investigation into the Louisville police in April 2021, more than a year after the botched raid that resulted in Taylor's shooting death in her home, which spurred nationwide protests along with the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/louisville-police-engaged-pattern-unlawful-discriminatory-conduct-doj/story?id=97708844

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This is different from their Memphis review. This investigation has been going on after the Breona Taylor fiasco.

Article updated.

Previous article -

A nearly two-year civil rights investigation into the Louisville, Kentucky, police department and Louisville Metro Government, touched off by the killing of Breonna Taylor, found the city and law enforcement engaged in a pattern of unlawful and discriminatory conduct, depriving people of their constitutional liberties, the Department of Justice announced on Wednesday. The DOJ launched its pattern or practice investigation into the Louisville police in April 2021, more than a year after the botched raid that resulted in Taylor's shooting death in her home, which spurred nationwide protests along with the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota.

According to the DOJ's report released Wednesday, one police leader told investigators that Taylor's death "was a symptom of problems that we have had for years." The DOJ's review, based on hundreds of interviews, thousands of documents and thousands of hours of body-worn camera footage, found Louisville officers routinely used excessive force in arrests, including unjustified neck restraints and wrongful use of police dogs and tasers.

The police department also conducted searches based on "invalid warrants," the review found, and officers unlawfully executed search warrants without knocking and announcing. "For years, [the Louisville police department] has practiced an aggressive style of policing that it deploys selectively, especially against Black people, but also against vulnerable people throughout the city," the report stated. "Some officers have videotaped themselves throwing drinks at pedestrians from their cars; insulted people with disabilities; and called Black people 'monkeys,' 'animal,' and 'boy.'"

The federal review found police officers conducted unlawful stops and arrests of suspects and that the department routinely discriminated against Black people in their enforcement actions. The department and city also were found to have discriminated against people who had behavioral health disabilities when they were in crisis, the report stated.

Original article -

A nearly two-year civil rights investigation into the Louisville, Kentucky, police department and Louisville Metro Government found the city and law enforcement engaged in a pattern of unlawful and discriminatory conduct, depriving people of their constitutional rights, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.

The Department of Justice launched its pattern or practice investigation into the Louisville police in April 2021, more than a year after the botched raid that resulted in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor.

According to the DOJ's report released Wednesday, one police leader told investigators that Taylor's death "was a symptom of problems that we have had for years."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

[ancianita]

1. Thanks. Also,

here's most of the DOJ's statement.

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.

Specifically, the Justice Department finds that LMPD:

--- Uses excessive force, including unjustified neck restraints and the unreasonable use of police dogs and tasers;

--- Conducts searches based on invalid warrants;

--- Unlawfully executes search warrants without knocking and announcing;

--- Unlawfully stops, searches, detains, and arrests people during street enforcement activities, including traffic and pedestrian stops;

--- Unlawfully discriminates against Black people in its enforcement activities;

--- Violates the rights of people engaged in protected free speech critical of policing; and

--- Along with Louisville Metro, discriminates against people with behavioral health disabilities when responding to them in crisis.

The Department also identified deficiencies in 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. Deficiencies in policies, training, supervision, and accountability contribute to LMPD and Louisville Metro’s unlawful conduct.

“The Justice Department has concluded that there is reasonable cause to believe that Louisville Metro and LMPD engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the constitutional rights of the residents of Louisville — including by using excessive force, unlawfully discriminating against Black people, conducting searches based on invalid warrants, and violating the rights of those engaged in protected speech critical of policing,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “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. 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.”

...The department conducted this investigation pursuant to the 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (Section 12601), which prohibits law enforcement officers from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law, the Safe Streets Act of 1968, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The findings announced today are the result of the department’s civil pattern or practice investigation and are separate from the department’s criminal cases against former LMPD officers for federal crimes related to the tragic death of Breonna Taylor. These findings are also separate from the department’s ongoing investigation into the Commonwealth of Kentucky under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additional information can be found at: www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-launches-civil-rights-investigation-kentucky-s-mental-health-service-0.

The department will be conducting outreach to members of the Louisville community for their views on remedies to address the department’s findings. Individuals may also submit recommendations by email at [e-mail] or by phone at 1-844-920-1460.

Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt. Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky is available at www.justice.gov/usao-wdky.

Information specific to the Civil Rights Division’s police reform work can be found here: www.justice.gov/crt/file/922421/download.

The Justice Department will hold a virtual community meeting at 7:00 p.m. ET. Members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the findings. Please join the meeting via this link www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_pmezYy52QZusNmr_nLPRAA.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-finds-civil-rights-violations-louisville-metro-police-department-and

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Thanks for posting their release!

[ancianita]

5. Sure!

When they make news I check out their site, so just thought I'd share.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

3. K&R

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. Cue the critics who claim Garland is lollygagging with nothing to do. . . . nt

[elleng]

6. Thanks.

[OldBaldy1701E]

7. Now, extend that 'probe' to every other major city in the country.

Or, are we just trying to create a fall guy so that some of the pressure dies down and cops can go back to making people respect their authority, especially those who usually get ignored when they get the piss beaten out of them and report it?