Statement from ACLU of Kentucky Executive Director Michael Aldridge Regarding Excessive Use of Force by Louisville Metro Police Department Officer

Statement from ACLU of Kentucky Executive Director Michael Aldridge Regarding Excessive Use of Force by Louisville Metro Police Department Officer:

“The latest instance of unnecessary and excessive use of force against a protester by a Louisville Metro Police Department officer shows yet again that police accountability does not exist in Kentucky. As the commonwealth mourns one year without Breonna Taylor and the world’s eyes turn to Minneapolis, LMPD has proven it remains incapable of upholding its duty to protect and serve and has no respect for Kentuckians’ constitutional right to free speech.

The role of police in community safety must be completely reimagined and rebuilt from the ground up. Kentucky’s communities of color can no longer suffer from government-sanctioned violence and terror. The rest of the world is opening its eyes, but LMPD continues to move backwards.

We will continue pursuing our lawsuit in federal court to hold LMPD and Mayor Fischer accountable for militaristic use of force against peaceful protesters exercising their First Amendment rights; collaborate with other advocates and elected officials to change LMPD’s employment contract so officers cannot evade civilian oversight; and work with state lawmakers to implement common sense police accountability measures and alternatives to policing and incarceration that protect all people equally under the law.

LMPD must conduct a swift and transparent investigation that includes outside voices and results in tangible change. The officers of Louisville Metro Police Department are sworn to protect and serve, yet they routinely evade accountability, break trust with secrecy, and meet peace with violence.”