The U.S. Justice Department and the city of Louisville have reached a landmark agreement to reform the city’s police department following a federal investigation sparked by the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor, officials announced Thursday.
The consent decree, pending judicial approval, stems from findings that Louisville police engaged in a pattern of violating constitutional rights and discriminating against Black residents.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg called the agreement a “historic consent decree” and emphasized its role in accelerating ongoing police reforms in the city. “Significant improvements have already been made since Breonna Taylor’s tragic death in March 2020,” Greenberg said, highlighting measures such as a city law banning the use of “no-knock” warrants.
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A Justice Department report released in March 2023 found that the Louisville Metro Police Department engaged in discriminatory practices, excessive use of force, and unconstitutional searches, often based on invalid warrants. It also documented rights violations during protests.
“This conduct harmed community members and eroded public trust in law enforcement—trust that is essential for public safety,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, who leads the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This consent decree represents a new chapter for Louisville.”
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Once finalized, a federal monitor will oversee the implementation of the agreed-upon reforms.
The agreement with Louisville marks a significant milestone for the Justice Department under the Biden administration, which has launched 12 civil rights investigations into law enforcement agencies. This is the first investigation under Biden’s tenure to result in a consent decree. A similar agreement was reached with Springfield, Massachusetts, in 2022, but that investigation began during the Trump administration.
By contrast, city officials in Memphis have resisted calls for a Justice Department consent decree following a federal probe into their police force. That investigation, prompted by the killing of Tyre Nichols, revealed a pattern of excessive force and racial disparities in policing. Memphis leaders argue they can implement reforms more effectively without a federally binding agreement, though they have not ruled out the possibility of a future consent decree.
The long-term future of such agreements remains uncertain. Under the Trump administration, the Justice Department sharply curtailed the use of consent decrees. With President-elect Donald Trump set to return to the White House, civil rights advocates fear a repeat of those policies, potentially reshaping the department’s approach to police oversight.
