At a Glance
- Federal judge dismisses Louisville’s proposed police reform settlement after DOJ withdrew support.
- DOJ had approved the settlement in late 2023 but pulled out in May 2024.
- Louisville is moving forward with its own reform plan, including body-cam transparency and a backlog fix.
Why it matters: The ruling leaves Louisville to lead its own policing reforms, affecting residents and future DOJ oversight.
In a decisive move, a federal judge in Kentucky dismissed Louisville’s proposed settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice after the DOJ withdrew its backing earlier this year. The decision follows a multiyear DOJ investigation that highlighted racial bias and excessive force in the Louisville Police Department.
Judge’s Ruling
U.S. District Judge Benjamin Beaton ruled on Dec. 31 that the city’s elected officials must lead the Metro Police Department’s compliance with federal law. The judge’s decision came after the DOJ, which had approved the consent decree in the final weeks of the Biden administration, withdrew its support in May.
Judge Benjamin Beaton stated:
> “the responsibility to lead the Louisville Metro Police Department in compliance with federal law must remain with the city’s elected representatives and the people they serve.”
DOJ Investigation Findings
The DOJ’s investigation, prompted by Breonna Taylor’s fatal shooting and the 2020 protest response, released a draft in early 2023. It alleged that the Louisville Police Department discriminates against Black people, uses excessive force, and conducts searches based on invalid warrants.
City’s Independent Reform Efforts
Mayor Craig Greenberg pledged to continue reforms after the DOJ’s withdrawal. The city adopted a local reform plan, hired an independent consulting group as a monitor, and made body-cam videos public within 10 business days.
- Addressed a backlog of open records requests.
- Implemented a pilot program sending behavioral-health professionals to certain 911 calls.
- Banned the use of “no-knock” warrants.
- Paid a $12 million wrongful-death settlement to Taylor’s family.
- Sent former detective Brett Hankison to prison on an excessive-force conviction.
Mayor Craig Greenberg’s spokesman said:
> “He voluntarily created and implemented Louisville’s own reform plan, something no mayor in the country has done.”
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2024 | DOJ withdrew support of Louisville settlement |
| May 2024 | Judge dismissed Minneapolis consent decree |
| Dec 31 2023 | Judge Benjamin Beaton dismissed Louisville decree |
The court’s decision does not prevent Louisville from pursuing reforms independently, but it removes the federal oversight that had been in place.
Key Takeaways
- The DOJ’s withdrawal leaves Louisville to manage its own police reforms.
- The city has adopted a local plan with independent monitoring and faster body-cam release.
- The judge’s ruling removes federal oversight while allowing the city to continue reform efforts.
With the DOJ’s backing gone, Louisville’s police reforms now rely on city leadership and independent monitoring, marking a new chapter in the city’s efforts to address systemic bias.
