What is a consent decree and how will it affect Louisville police?
The Department of Justice announced Wednesday Louisville Metro Government and Louisville Metro Police Department have agreed to enter a consent decree with the federal government.
This comes after the DOJ released findings from its investigation into LMPD, which revealed the police department had violated civil rights repeatedly.
But what exactly is a consent decree? And how will it impact the day-to-day functioning of the LMPD?
A consent decree is intended to promote police integrity within the department and prevent conduct that deprives individuals of their rights, protected by the constitution.
It's an agreement filed in federal court between the DOJ and the local government agency in charge of police.
And it's overseen by a judge, who can legally enforce provisions in the agreement.
While a consent decree is rare, it does happen.
Other cities with policing issues, including New Orleans, Baltimore, and Los Angeles, have come under the consent decree.
We don't know the exact expectations for Louisville just yet. Those are still being worked out.
But here's an example of the areas of focus in Los Angeles:
- Management and supervisory measures to promote civil rights integrity
- Critical incident procedures, documentation, investigation, and review
- Management of gang units and confidential informants
- Program development for response to persons with mental illness
- Training
- Integrity audits
- Community outreach and public information
Watch more about consent decrees below:
The bottom line, LMPD will be closely monitored by the Department of Justice for an indeterminate period.
In the coming days and weeks, exact areas of focus will be worked out between the DOJ and Metro Louisville.
The DOJ has already provided a list of 36 recommendations meant to be a starting point for the department to improve public safety, build the trust of Louisville맥스카지노s many communities, and comply with the Constitution and federal law.
The recommendations include improving training and policies around the use of force, search warrants, and street enforcement.
It also calls for the department to develop and implement a strategic plan for improving facilities, which the report called "substandard."
The report also recommends LMPD require consistent activation and review of body-worn cameras.
More than half of the recommendations require additional mechanisms for accountability.
So far, no estimates have been provided on how much it will cost to implement these reforms.