LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There's still time left for Louisvillians to fill out a survey to let the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) know how it's doing.
A questionnaire online or by phone appointment is part of the "top-to-bottom" review of the department by Chicago-based firm Hillard Heintze. Citizens have until Tuesday at 11:45 p.m. to submit their answers to questions on community policing, crime concerns, use of force, and racism and bias. It's part of the efforts to bring about reforms in the wake of the police killing of Breonna Taylor.
President of the civil rights group "Voices of Louisville" is Bishop Dennis V. Lyons. He's been working to bridge the divide between LMPD and neighbors for about two decades, but recent events have complicated that role like never before. For the last four years, he's pushed to educate people on "mutual respect," or "Code Green," which advises people what to do when in a traffic stop. His answer for healing now: admit, submit, commit. Lyons says there's a three-part approach both police and community should follow.
"A filling ain't gonna do it," the Gospel Missionary Church pastor explained. "Plating ain't gonna do it. You got to have a root canal. The police department has to have a root canal."
When it comes to the survey, however, he's skeptical of input being gathered online.
"They don't ask folk down here on the corner that the police meet every day that have direct contact. They reach out. But they don't reach out far enough," Lyons claimed.
He's afraid only a certain segment of the population, those who can log-on or dial a number by phone, will respond. The survey does ask the participant to specify where they live, along with their race, gender, and age, all part of the data being collected.
Those who've taken it weigh in.
"I took it overall because we say 'no justice, no peace' and peace begins with the equity and the consciousness of the police department. And if there is no efficacy and integrity in the police department, then there is mistrust in the community," said Rev. Ron D. Robinson.
"I didn't feel like, not any, not one question, could benefit us by giving that information to them," said Anthony Gaines III.
Spectrum News 1 reached out to LMPD for an interview about the survey but did not hear back.