LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After almost a year, an investigation of a protester being hit by Louisville Metro Police is over and the officer involved has been cleared. 

What You Need To Know

  • Officer Aaron Ambers was cleared of wrongdoing in case involving a protester

  • Denorver "Dee" Garrett was captured on police body camera video being hit by by Officer Ambers

  • LMPD internal investigation found no violation of police policies

  • Chief Erika Shield says better decisions could have been made

Louisville Metro Police officer Aaron Ambers was seen on LMPD body camera video hitting Denorver “Dee” Garrett during his arrest at Jefferson Square Park on April 19, 2021 during a Breonna Taylor protest.

LMPD reports obtained by Spectrum News 1 said Garrett was arrested at Jefferson Square Park. The report says Garrett was yelling at cars with a bullhorn, holding a cross in the middle of an intersection, forcing cars to veer out of lanes to avoid hitting him. Chief Erika Shields said in the report, officers planned to arrest Garrett based on his behavior. LMPD said the officers knew Garrett had a criminal history and were worried about a confrontation.

Officers said Garrett was resisting arrest by flexing his muscles and that is when he was taken to the ground. The video shows Garrett being punched in the face several times by Ambers.

Garrett was originally charged with second-degree disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, but those charges were dropped by Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell.

An internal investigation by LMPD determined Ambers did not violate policies on “use of physical force” or “de-escalation” 

Chief Erika Shields said in her report that officers could have made better decisions and “accomplished nothing other than to play into the hands of an attention seeking individual,”

Shields recommends the three sergeants who made decision related to the situation-Christina Beaven, Michael Fowler and Lisa Nagle-receive formal training on "de-escalation and the totality of the impact of their decision-making."  Shields also is recommending refresher training on de-escalation by mandatory for supervisory staff immediately.  LMPD's De-Escalation and Force Usage policies are being reviewed. Shields is also calling for LMPD Academy staff to develop a "mandatory ongoing Jiu-Jitsu curriculum" for all sworn officers. She said in the report, "...better training, regardless of cost, must be prioritized."

Garrett still has a lawsuit against Ambers. 

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