March 9, 2023 The River City Fraternal Order of Police, which represents Louisville officers, was critical of a Department of Justice investigation, saying the findings “should not go unchallenged.”
By Taylor Six Source Lexington Herald-Leader Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Louisville Fraternal Order of Police says the U.S. Department of Justice made an “unfair assessment” of the Louisville Metro Police Department after the DOJ published findings from an investigation that indicate LMPD violated the Constitution and federal law.
The River City FOP, which is Louisville’s police union and represents the city’s police officers, said in a statement released Wednesday night that the findings of the DOJ’s investigation “should not go unchallenged.”
The DOJ’s report indicated that LMPD officers use excessive force, conduct searches through unlawful stops, unlawfully arrest people of color, execute no-knock warrants unlawfully, violate protected speech and discriminate against those with behavioral health disabilities. They also found LMPD has deficiencies in investigating domestic violence and sexual assault cases.
The FOP said previous Louisville Metro Government administration was in part to blame for the “tarnished relationship” of what should be the one of the “premier law enforcement agencies in the country.”
“There are many factors and circumstances, existing over a long period of time, which culminated in the publication of this DOJ report,” the FOP said in a statement. “The most damning of these factors being the continued leadership failures by past Louisville Metro administrations.
“The FOP has bemoaned these leadership failures for years — to no avail. This is no surprise to those who have been paying attention to and witnessing what has transpired in our community,” the FOP said. “The members of the LMPD and the citizens they serve have suffered the consequences of these leadership failures, to include critical staffing shortages, sky rocketing levels of violent crime, inadequate facilities, and the need for more adequate training — just to name a few.”
During a press conference Wednesday in Louisville, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the DOJ’s two-year investigation revealed that LMPD and Louisville Metro Government violated the First and Fourth Amendments, the Civil Rights act of 1964, the Safe Streets Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Louisville Fraternal Order of Police said they felt strongly that the report should not go unchallenged and should be dissected for evidentiary value.
In addition, the group said no law enforcement agency is without flaws, and believes policing is one of the most noble professions to exist in the country.
“The men and women of the LMPD are dedicated, caring professionals who strive everyday to protect and serve the community with honor and integrity,” the FOP said in a statement.
The FOP did acknowledge that “there have been instances where officers acted in a manner that is not consistent with the values, ethics, and morals of good policing” which were addressed in the DOJ’s report. But the FOP’s statement also said there are “protocols in place to address those transgressions” and hold officers accountable.
The DOJ’s report, however, indicated that LMPD often failed to identify misconduct by officers when reviewing incidents, particularly incidents involving excessive force. The report added the failures are compounded by the department’s “clear lack of policy” on when and how it is appropriate to use force, and lack of training for the policies the department does have.
“The FOP supports holding police officers accountable for their actions,” the statement said. “Officers, like all citizens, also have a right to due process and the FOP is here to ensure that right is afforded to our members.”
Other reactions to DOJ report
Gov. Andy Beshear and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg both said they were troubled by the DOJ’s findings. Beshear said he hoped it would be an opportunity for people to take steps forward for “positive, lasting change.”
Greenberg said the conduct detailed in the report was “unacceptable,” “inexcusable” and a “betrayal of the public’s trust.”
Attorney General Daniel Cameron also released a statement, saying the majority of law enforcement officers in Kentucky serve with “dignity & honor,” and he hoped the DOJ’s report would help LMPD work to address concerns.