Local citizen groups demand changes to new police contract

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville Metro Police have negotiated a new contract with the city, but the deal is getting some pushback from citizens.

At a special meeting on Monday evening, citizen groups from across the city called for no raises until demands are met. A few of those demands — having a tracking system of complaints made against police and increase department transparency with grievances and personnel files.

“What will it take to demand more accountability from the CBA?" Abby Long, of the 490 project, said. "Is a woman getting shot in her home based on bogus tips not enough? Are the DOJ findings not enough?”

The Department of Justice is keeping a close on eye on LMPD, as are a dozen citizens groups in Louisville.

“We are losing too many officers to other departments for more money and less crime," said Kim Moore, who came to support the department.

LMPD rank and file have been working without a contract since June 2023, which means no raises until Metro Council approves the contract. If the contract is approved, first year officers can expect at least a $5,000 raise the first year and $20,000 after the third year.

Prior to the public hearing Monday night, Metro Council Public Safety Committee was given a list of demands or changes to the pending police contract.

“I think we need a healthy and whole police department for this city to change,” Moore said.

At the top of the list are changes to how officers are disciplined, giving more authority to Metro Council and creating a searchable database of disciplinary investigations after allegations of poor record keeping.

“In 2023 the internal audit committee told us that LMPD lacked record retention oversight, has no consistent review of records retained, are not following personnel file retention requirements, and the records being retained are incomplete,” said Nancy Cavalcante, critic of LMPD.

The Public Safety Committee did not take any action on the comments and did not respond to any questions from the audience Monday night. The Public Safety Committee is scheduled to take action on the new police contract on Wednesday, April 17.