U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Beaton appeared skeptical of approving a police reform agreement between Louisville Metro and the Department of Justice during a hearing Monday.
The city and DOJ signed a proposed consent decree last month. The decree lays out hundreds of changes to policies and training that the Louisville Metro Police Department would have to undertake in the coming years. The agency’s progress would be overseen by Beaton, as well as an independent monitor.
In a lengthy hearing, the attorneys representing the DOJ argued the consent decree is necessary to address the pattern of unconstitutional and discriminatory policing practices outlined in a scathing report released two years ago. The DOJ found racial disparities in how LMPD officers enforced the law, as well as routine use of excessive force against residents.
Beaton, however, repeatedly asked whether some sort of other “less intrusive” arrangement could also get LMPD to comply with federal law.
Because when you are trying to stop police from violating federal law and human rights, you don’t want to be intrusive.
C’mon, guys, let’s not make The Murder Team uncomfortable.
