LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Louisville's acting police chief said Thursday he has implemented a new policy requiring officers to intervene if a colleague uses excessive force.
Under the new "Officer Intervention" policy, "all officers should act to prevent or stop any member, regardless of rank or assignment, from using unlawful or excessive force. Intervention may be verbal and/or physical," according to a copy of the standard operating procedure provided by the Louisville Metro Police Department.
"Officers should immediately report any incidents of unlawful or excessive force to their supervisor," the policy says. "Members inhibited from reporting violations through the appropriate chain of command are required to submit the information directly to the Chief of Police or the Special Investigations Division (SID) Commander.
"Members are prohibited from retaliation against any individual because he/she has prevented, intervened, or reported the unlawful or excessive use of force. Any member who engages in retaliation against an individual who has prevented, intervened, or reported the unlawful or excessive force may be subject to discipline. Any member who feels he/she has been subjected to such retaliation should report this action through the appropriate chain of command, to the division commander, who will then forward the information to the SID Commander or directly to the Chief of Police. Any member who is inhibited from reporting retaliation through his/her chain of command should report the retaliation directly to the SID Commander or the Chief of Police."
A new LMPD policy requires officers to intervene if a colleague uses excessive force.
LMPD Interim Chief Robert Schroeder said the policy formalizes in writing the department's expectations.Â
"Recently all of us in law enforcement were shocked when we saw video of George Floyd being killed in Minneapolis, as other police officers stood by and did nothing," said Schroeder, who called the policy change "simply the right thing to do."
Cases in which officers don't take action will be reviewed individually, Schroeder added.
"It may be a situation where the officer is not aware of what was happening, was not in a position to see it. It's just purely case by case," he said.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said the policy change was "a good move and a common-sense move.
"And to the public I promise there will be more changes to come," Fischer added.Â
Fischer also pushed back against allegations that police were given "stand down" orders during protests over the death of Breonna Taylor that began in late May. Instead, Fischer said, police have used "de-escalation" tactics.
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