Justice Department Probe Finds Illegal, Violent, and Discriminatory Policing in Louisville, Kentucky

An investigation by the Justice Department has concluded that police in Louisville, Kentucky, routinely violate residents’ constitutional rights by using excessive force, conducting illegal traffic stops and narcotics raids, retaliating against residents for protected speech, and discriminating against minorities.

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division released a report today finding that the Louisville Metro Police Department(LMPD) and local government had “a pattern or practice” of constitutional violations. The civil rights probe was launched in the aftermath of the police killing of Breonna Taylor, who was shot to death during an LMPD narcotics raid in March 2020.

“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,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a press release. “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 investigation found stunningly unprofessional behavior by LMPD officers.

“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 report says.

The two-year investigation also found that LMPD unreasonably deployed tasers and police dogs on compliant and non-threatening suspects and used unjustified neck restraints.

Narcotics search warrants reviewed by Justice Department investigators were constitutionally deficient. Some were missing sufficient details to establish probable c