DOJ hosts Q&A regarding the Consent Decree

Five members of the Department of Justice held a community meeting to briefly summarize different sections of the consent decree that was signed this past Thursday. Below are some of the facts that were stated during the discussion which took place via zoom. Also listed are some of the questions that were asked, what it is going to cost the city and who was in attendance as far as the Department of Justice.

A few facts…

It states that Louisville Metro is to create a community engagement program.

Louisville Metro will be creating a training program.

The decree requires Louisville Metro to develop a Community Safety Plan.

Louisville Metro will strengthen its non-police outreach team. Under the Decree, this team is to be available at least 6 days a week and 8 hours a day.

The Decree requires that the OIG has access to the complaint regardless if it goes to LMPD or not.

Some of the questions that came in were…

1. When do you expect the judges signature?

2. When will the RFA/RFP be posted to begin the process to find the Independent Monitor? (Request for Application/Request for Proposal)

3. Within paragraph 516, can I recommend my complaint be submitted to OIG specifically if it isn’t submitted straight to LMPD or OIG?

4. Will the Inspector General Ed Harness continue in that role as Inspector General once an Independent Monitoring team begins?

5. Can Louisville Metro and Louisville Metro Police Department meet this 5 year timeline?

6. What will happen if there is a violation of the Consent Decree?

7. Will the Monitor be locally selected or outside of Louisville?

8. What will the cost be for the Consent Decree?

9. Will some of the members of the community be involved in the training process?

10. Why did the Department

Consent Decree cost

$1.475 million dollars per year

Louisville Metro will bear the cost

0.1% of Louisville Metro’s total budget (about $1.1 Billion Dollars current fiscal year)

0.6% of LMPD’s budget (about $240,000,000 million current fiscal year)

As far as DOJ is concerned, in attendance was…

Dave Cooper, Attorney with the DOJ in the Civil Rights Division

Haley Van Erem, trial attorney with the Civil Rights Division

Paul Killebrew, Deputy Chief with the DOJ at the Civil Rights Division

Riaz Mehveen, DOJ at the Civil Rights Division

Jessica Malloy, DOJ Civil Rights Division

Kenya, ASL Interpreter

You can stay live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPai4TDd_hs