LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The mayor's signature makes it official. Louisville has a new Civilian Review Board, under the Office of the Inspector General.

What You Need To Know

  • Louisville establishes Civilian Review Board

  • The group will investigate and review of allegations of police misconduct

  • Board will contain 11 members nominated by local, state, federal entities

  • One of many reforms being implemented for Louisville Metro

It establishes a new, independent group of citizens to review police and act as accountability. The Board is being hailed as a major step in restoring the community's trust in the Louisville Metro Police (LMPD). 

The new Board will oversee the work of the IG’s Office, which will have the authority to investigate alleged incidents of improper conduct by any members of the LMPD with any member of the public. The IG's Office will also include looking at patterns and practices within LMPD; reviewing policies, procedures, and operations; and providing recommendations on improving operations to the Mayor's Office and Metro Council. Any possible disciplinary actions will remain with the Chief of Police.

Mayor Greg Fischer lauded Metro Council's ordinance at his ceremonial signing of it Wednesday afternoon. Councilwoman Paula McCraney (D- District 7) spearheaded the legislation. 

Fischer added it's "an answer" to achieving racial justice in the city. 

“Today’s Civilian Review and Accountability Board and the Office of Inspector General shows that we have engaged in something much greater than ourselves," McCraney commented, "and we should be proud as a community that we have embraced such a cause that will help our community not only become a better community, but it will instill some more trust and accountability into our police department."

"It will also ensure our citizens that they can rest knowing that there are another set of eyes that will be investigating the police department," McCraney continued.

The city has hired an Illinois search firm to help find the Inspector General. Applications will be submitted through the firm, David Gomez Partners, but interested applicants can also send resumes to Louisville Metro Government Human Resources. They hope to fill the position by early 2021.

The 11-member board and the IG will be selected by the Mayor's Office and approved by the Metro Council. 

Interested residents can nominate themselves by visiting the boards and commissions website. 

Fischer says the Board is just one of several reform measures recently passed, such as Breonna's Law and the "top-to-bottom" review of LMPD currently being conducted by an outside firm.

If you are interested in learning more about the Board, Metro Government has more information. 

 

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Deborah Harbsmeier is the executive producer of digital content for Spectrum News 1 Kentucky.  The award-winning producer has been in television news for 30 years.