LMPD chief says officers were 'held accountable' for delayed response to domestic violence call

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul Humphrey said some officers were held accountable after a domestic violence response in Louisville took nearly three hours but defended how officers generally handle high-pressure situations.

During an interview Wednesday on WDRB Mornings, Humphrey addressed questions about a case in which a woman was beaten while waiting for police. He said an internal investigation was conducted and acknowledged some decisions made that day could have been better.

"People were held accountable for the decisions that were made that day, and some of the decisions were made in a way that I don't agree with or I would like to see done better," Humphrey said.

Humphrey said the woman was ultimately removed from the apartment, and the suspect was later arrested. He added officers must often balance urgency with safety when responding to volatile situations.

"If the same set of circumstances were to happen, officers have to weigh everything in the moment: What is the immediate danger to the public or to that victim versus what is the danger that we're going to incur by trying to force this arrest right now?" he said.

Still, Humphrey said long response times are not ideal.

"I don't like that it took three hours, necessarily," he said.

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The chief also addressed how officers respond to people in mental health crisis, referencing a recent officer-involved shooting. Humphrey called the situation tragic and said officers were trying to de-escalate and get the woman help.

"We are always open to trying to find more options and more resources to get people help so situations don't end like this," he said.

He said LMPD is exploring additional response options, including working with Metro government and outside organizations like Seven Counties.

With Kentucky Derby week approaching, Humphrey said the department is focused on proactive planning to keep people safe while allowing them to enjoy the festivities.

"How do we put into place everything ahead of time to make sure that we prevent anything from happening in the first place?" he said.

Humphrey added officers aim to maintain a visible presence so interactions with the public remain positive.

"We want to make sure that when you have interaction with the police, it's simple: Let's have fun," he said.