The agreement that could dictate the future of Louisville Metro Government and Louisville Metro Police may take several months to finalize, according to Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell.
At a weekly round table hosted by prominent Bishop Dennis Lyons, O’Connell revealed it could take anywhere from a year to a year and a half for the U.S. Department of Justice and the city to finalize the terms of a consent decree, which was agreed upon in principle following the Department of Justice report’s release.
The Department of Justice’s findings concluded the Louisville Metro Police routinely violates people’s constitutional rights. The consent decree would put the city under federal watch for the foreseeable future.
On Friday, a packed house inside Gospel Missionary Church asked O’Connell questions, including where the County Attorney’s Office stands in the negotiations.
O’Connell said they have consulted and looked into cities that are currently under consent decrees to see how things are going with them.
O’Connell was the special guest speaker at the discussion that consistently hosts city leaders, police and members of the community who come together to discuss topical issues.
This week’s top conversation: The fact that federally-mandated reforms are coming to the city.
The question now is when?
O’Connell said the negotiation part of it is about ready to start.
The Department of Justice’s findings came with 36 recommended remedial changes, including creating new training for use-of-force within the Louisville Metro Police Department, improving policies regarding search warrant requests, and enhancing supervision and discipline when violations are reported.
O’Connell said the vast number of reforms are why this negotiating process will take some time.
Some community leaders have expressed a desire to be a part of the negotiations, but the Department of Justice has informed the city leaders these negotiations will be exclusively between Metro Government and the Department of Justice and they do not permit third parties into the negotiations.
Next week Department of Justice officials will be in Louisville hosting community discussions as they seek the public’s input before the negotiations begin.
So, for now, the community’s best bet will be to give their input when the Department of Justice comes to town next week. O’Connell says consent decree negotiations between the city and the Department of Justice won’t begin until those public community meetings are finished.
If you’d like to attend and learn more about the Department of Justice’s next steps you can attend one of the following meetings:
The public community meeting will be held on April 12 at the South Central Regional Library on Jefferson Boulevard from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
A second community meeting will be at Central High School on Thursday, April 13, from 6-7:30 p.m.
If you can’t make either of these meetings, there are two walk-in sessions where community members can speak with Department of Justice representatives.
April 11: Shawnee Library – 3912 West Broadway (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)
April 13: Middletown Library – 12556 Shelbyville Road (12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.)
The Department of Justice says if you miss out, you can write them at their community box at community.louisville@usdoj.gove or leave a message at (844) 920-1460.
Source: WHAS11
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