LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville Metro Police officer who was shot during protests of a grand jury's decision in the Breonna Taylor case in 2020 filed a lawsuit claiming he was discriminated against after expressing his belief that the department lied to the public about Taylor's death.

Robinson Desroches and Maj. Aubrey Gregory were shot Sept. 23, 2020, near the intersection of South Brook Street and West Broadway after responding to reports of gunshots in the area. Gregory was released from hospital care the next day, but Desroches required a longer stay to be treated for more severe injuries to his abdomen.

In a lawsuit filed on his behalf Monday, Desroches, who is Black, said the Taylor shooting divided the department, with some officers blaming Taylor and calling her and protesters racists names while urging violence against protesters.

"I've reached a point where I've been silent for too long, and I know there's repercussions with actually speaking out, but at some point in time, somebody has to stand up... to demand change," Desroches told WDRB in an interview Monday afternoon. 

"The culture of LMPD tends to reward officers who look the other way when confronted with instances of racism, sexism, harassment, and abuse of themselves or others by LMPD or its members," according to the suit. "The culture of LMPD tends to punish those who stand against it."

The night following a grand jury decision to indict only one officer for the March 13, 2020, raid, a protester, Larynzo Johnson, fired at several police officers, hitting Desroches and Gregory. Johnson pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree assault and 33 counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and was sentenced to 13 1/2 years in prison in March 2022.

Desroches said he knew Johnson from middle school. 

"Throughout the academy, they would always tell us one of us in this room will be involved in a critical incident, never, never did I think it was going to be me," Desroches said. "I remember the day of the verdict, it was going to be released, it was complete chaos that day." 

After Desroches recovered well enough to go back to work, LMPD officials asked him to be a face for LMPD to put in front of the media and community and "speak about being shot, the course of his medical recovery, and his joy and gratitude to be back at work supporting LMPD," according to the lawsuit.

But, according to the lawsuit, "Rob did not want his image and story twisted to portray a false narrative about LMPD."

Desroches told LMPD officials that he didn't want to "perpetuate the false narrative LMPD wanted" and that he felt the department was unsupportive of him as a Black officer.

"For us, Black officers, African Americans, it's very important for us to stand up, but it's been difficult here lately, I would say, even the past couple years and the whole history of LMPD is because we have to maintain an image," Desroches said. "We have to, you know, be a part of the good boys club. And again, may get crucified for using that term, but that's okay...  I'm doing this for a lot of the officers that don't want to stand up as well, and hopefully this will get them to stand up and really just speak out their truth the same way as you know, Caucasian officers, they're able to bring things to the light. We can too." 

"Black officers who discuss race or criticize their experience related to race are vilified as betraying the 'thin blue line," according to the lawsuit, filed by attorney Sara Collins in Jefferson Circuit Court.

In fact, Desroches claims he was shot "because LMPD officers killed Breonna Taylor."

"He would not have been in the situation if LMPD had told the truth and released accurate, truthful information from the beginning," according to the suit.

The lawsuit was not specific about what LMPD is accused of lying about. 

In response to the lawsuit, LMPD said:

“While we cannot comment on the specifics of the lawsuit, we would like to reiterate that LMPD strives to create an inclusive environment where employees feel welcomed, valued, and respected. The department takes seriously any accusations of harassment and/or discrimination. When employees injured in the line of duty are ready to return to work, LMPD strives to provide reasonable accommodations to place the employee in alternative roles in the department until they are cleared by a doctor to return to full duty. Additionally, LMPD prioritizes the emotional and physical well-being of all LMPD staff by offering a myriad of services through the Summit Wellness Center. The department remains committed to improving and fostering work atmospheres that support the growth and success of our employees.” 

LMPD commanders' demeanor changed towards Desroches after this and his mental wellness was called into question, according to the suit.

Desroches also claimed that department officials accused him of abusing sick leave when he continued to have medical issues from the shooting.

Three investigations were launched against Desroches within a three-month period, including that he damaged his patrol SUV while driving over railroad tracks in route to a call for backup assistance from another officer. One investigation has been dismissed while two others are pending.

The lawsuit claims Desroches learned that the "chief's office had made it clear to some 'commanders that whoever got papers on Rob that got him out of the department would get made,' in other words promoted."

Desroches was subjected to a hostile work environment where he was discriminated against, ridiculed and harassed, according to the suit.

"It's more so how they handle mental health. That's the biggest thing," Desroches said. "It's mainly dealing with how officers are going through a lot of trauma, how officers are not getting the recognition that they need or deserve." 

The lawsuit is seeking a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages.

In 2020, police sought out a search warrant for Taylor's home as part of a broader investigation that focused on drug suspect Jamarcus Glover. Police believed Glover may have been using Taylor's apartment to receive drugs and store money.

Kenneth Walker, Taylor's boyfriend, admitted to firing at police as they entered the apartment but claimed he believed the officers were intruders. He hit former officer Jonathan Mattingly.

Multiple Louisville Metro Police officers returned fire, killing Taylor. No drugs were found in her home.

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