DOJ Investigation of the Louisville Metro Police Department and Louisville Metro Government

From the executive summary:

“The Department of Justice has reasonable cause to believe that the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government (Louisville Metro) and the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of their rights under the Constitution and federal law:

• 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 crisis.

We 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. These deficiencies raise serious concerns about whether LMPD engages in gender bias in providing policing services to women.

Louisville Metro and LMPD exist to serve the community and keep people safe. Most Metro employees and LMPD officers are dedicated public servants who work hard to promote public safety. But Louisville Metro and LMPD fail to ensure that all employees uphold the federal constitutional and statutory rights of people in Louisville. “