LOUISVILLE, Ky. -The Louisville Metropolitan Police Department is in crisis, says a review by a consulting firm charged with auditing LMPD.
The Chicago consulting firm Hillard Heintze conducted the review after the shooting of Breonna Taylor and the protests following the event.
Mayor Greg Fischer says the audit underscores the pain in the community and within the department, and he audit also identifies the low morale among officers.
The firm interviewed city leaders and community groups. They administered anonymous surveys online, for community members and LMPD staff. They also conducted listening sessions and solicited emails.
There are 102 recommendations in the 155-page report. A big issue is community trust in the police department, especially among African-American residents. The report found that African Americans were much more likely to be subjects of traffic stops, but are not more likely to be injured by an officer.
The review found that Department morale is very low. 75% of respondents said if given a chance to leave the department, they would. It says LMPD needs to improve its communications up and down the line of command within the department. Recruiting and retention is an issue, not just in Louisville but across the country.
New LMPD Chief Erika Shields says the report is a roadmap for the department and she says she'll provide regular updates on progress.