Officials announced on Wednesday that the investigation by the Justice Department into law enforcement in Louisville, Kentucky – which was initiated in response to Breonna Taylor’s death – has uncovered violations of civil rights, Fox News reported.

According to the Justice Department’s “comprehensive” review, it has been determined that both the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government (Louisville Metro) engage in conduct that violates federal law and the U.S. Constitution, following a “pattern or practice” of such behavior.

“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,” it said. 

Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed that certain behaviors by officers were deemed “unacceptable” and “heartbreaking.”

“Some officers have demonstrated disrespect for the people they are sworn to protect. Some have videotaped themselves throwing drinks at pedestrians from their cars, insulted people with disabilities, and called Black people monkeys, animal, and boy,” Garland said Wednesday at a press conference announcing the findings, as reported by Fox News.

“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 Louisville with honor,” he said. “And it is an affront to the people of Louisville who deserve better.” 

In 2021, an investigation was initiated, a year after the death of Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot in her apartment by a Louisville officer executing a search warrant.

Written by staff