Consent Decrees

Federal Judge Blocks Louisville Police Reform Agreement After Breonna Taylor Death

A federal judge in Kentucky has dismissed Louisville’s proposed settlement with the Department of Justice regarding police reforms after the DOJ withdrew its support. The DOJ’s decision, influenced by new leadership, cited concerns over the legal theories used in evaluating police departments, leading to the cancellation of proposed consent decrees for Louisville and Minneapolis. The judge’s ruling does not prevent the city from pursuing its own reforms, and Louisville has since created its own reform plan and hired an independent consulting group. Mayor Craig Greenberg remains committed to continued reform, and has begun implementing changes, including addressing open records requests.

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Justice Department Ends Police Reform, Fueling Concerns Over Accountability

The Trump administration is seeking to dismiss federal oversight agreements with Louisville and Minneapolis police departments, following the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, respectively, and is closing investigations into several other police departments. This action reflects the administration’s opposition to consent decrees, which mandate police reform, arguing they undermine local control. While the Justice Department claims local agreements are sufficient, Louisville and Minneapolis have affirmed their commitment to continued reform efforts despite the federal government’s withdrawal. The DOJ states that it will review all open consent decrees, but maintains that future agreements may be warranted under specific circumstances.

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