Family demands answers after Ernest Council Jr. is fatally shot
- Louisville reached an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department to reform its police practices.
- The consent decree addresses systemic issues, including racial discrimination in police operations.
- These reforms aim to restore public trust in the police following community outrage over past incidents.
In December 2022, an agreement was reached between the U.S. Justice Department and Louisville to reform its police department following an extensive investigation that highlighted systemic issues in policing practices, particularly in relation to racial discrimination. This investigation stemmed from the 2020 police shooting of Breonna Taylor, which garnered national outrage and raised concerns regarding the treatment of the Black community by law enforcement. The consent decree from this agreement lays out specific reforms aimed at addressing civil rights violations that were uncovered, mandating changes to use of force policies, accountability protocols, and responding to public demonstrations. The decree will be monitored by an appointed federal officer, and the city must remain compliant for a minimum of five years. The reforms were designed not only to improve policing practices but to restore community trust in law enforcement, following years of protests and demands for accountability after Taylor's tragic death. Mayor Craig Greenberg and other city officials expressed a commitment to ensuring that police respect the constitutional rights of all residents and improve overall public safety in Louisville.