Public to weigh in on 2 independent watchdog finalists to monitor Louisville police

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville is close to hiring an independent watchdog to make sure promised police reforms actually happen.

Sparked by the 2020 police killing of Breonna Taylor and years of misconduct that led to multimillion-dollar settlements, city leaders said the new monitor will ensure accountability and transparency.

Mayor Craig Greenberg budgeted $750,000 for the position, which will track reforms inside the Louisville Metro Police Department and report progress to the public.

“We are moving ahead rapidly to continue implementing police reform that ensures constitutional policing while providing transparency and accountability to the public,” Greenberg said in May.

Two finalists remain from nearly 40 applicants:

21st Century Policing Solutions (21CP) — Formed out of President Barack Obama’s policing task force, its team includes former police chiefs, presidential advisers and civil rights experts. The group monitors Baltimore’s consent decree and has advised departments in Oklahoma City, South Bend, Aurora and Raleigh.
Effective Law Enforcement for All (ELE4A) — Leaders include a former U.S. Department of Justice civil rights prosecutor and law enforcement officials. They previously monitored consent decrees in New Orleans and now oversee reforms in Minneapolis.

Louisvillians will get a chance to weigh in Monday night during a public meeting where finalists will answer written questions submitted by residents. Afterward, the city will post a 24-hour survey to gather feedback on the applicants. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. at the Republic Bank YMCA on West Broadway.

WDRB asked the mayor’s office who will decide which questions reach the finalists, but has not received an answer.

Neither group was available for interviews with WDRB News.

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