LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Increased transparency and efficiency, these are the two reasons Louisville Metro Police say it will take back over as the lead investigator into shootings that officers are involved in.

What You Need To Know

  • The Louisville Metro Police Department has updated its policy for investigating officer involved shootings

  • Moving forward, they will be investigated internally

  • In recent years, Kentucky State Police has led those investigations

  • Body camera footage will also be released within 10 business days

This change differs from what Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, calls an “inherited practice” of the previous administration, in which Kentucky State Police led the investigations. 

Louisville Metro Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel (Spectrum News 1/Mason Brighton)

“Mayor Greenberg and the LMPD’s executive command staff and I agree that moving forward, LMPD will take the lead in investigating officer involved shootings,” LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said during a news conference Tuesday.

Under the new policy, body camera footage will also be released within 10 business days of a shooting. 

Copies of the investigation case file will also be shared with the Louisville Office of Inspector General, Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, and Kentucky State Police.

“These changes will not only improve efficiency of the investigation but also they will ensure that there are third party reviews and safeguards built into the process,” Gwinn-Villaroel said.

The department’s public integrity unit will be who investigates the shootings. Gwinn-Villaroel said she will also oversee each investigation and have the authority to discipline or fire an officer immediately.

“We have investigators that have experience and training in the areas of officer involved shootings, homicide investigations and the quality of investigation that they conduct will be able to be verified through our transparency processes that will follow,” Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said.

During a news conference Thursday, Gwinn-Villaroel was asked by reporters what her message is to those in the community who may have concerns about this policy change.

“We have additional layers. Before we didn’t have the Office of the Inspector General. So now we have Mr. Harness in play. KSP isn’t going anywhere and they are actually going to review the file,” Gwinn-Villaroel said. “And again, the commonwealth attorney is going to have it. I am very confident in the work that we do as an agency.”

Greenberg added city and department leadership are committed to making transparency a key priority.

Along with these changes, LMPD plans to release the results of its investigations to the public on the department’s website.

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