LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) is once again changing how it releases information to the public when officers fatally shoot civilians.
LMPD Assistant Chief Emily McKinley said the department won’t hold a news conference when releasing officer-worn bodycam video of these incidents. Instead the department has developed a “standardized and curated video package" to release the video.
There are some exceptions to the new policy, she said on Thursday.
A news conference may still be called if there is a public safety concern, if LMPD needs the public’s assistance, if there is a mass shooting, or when police need to provide critical information to the public.
“Our goal is to provide the community and our officers with a clear understanding of the process and a consistent format to make as much information public as possible, all while protecting the integrity of the ongoing [investigations],” McKinley said.
The department updated the bodycam policy last August, promising to release bodycam video of police shootings within 10 business days to improve transparency. McKinley said the overall process isn’t changing much, but how that video is distributed to the public and what it contains is changing.
The "curated" videos will include a detailed description of the shooting, bodycam video of all involved officers, the identities of involved officers and the victim, an explanation of LMPD policy and investigative processes.
At times, the video may include dispatch radio traffic, 911 calls, scene photos and any other relevant information that would provide context and wouldn’t hinder any ongoing investigations, McKinley said.
Raw video of the officers' bodycam will still be released on the department's YouTube page, as well.
How LMPD releases information of police shootings:
- Shortly after the incident, LMPD’s police chief or a member of the department’s executive staff will provide a briefing to the media with preliminary information and address any public safety concerns. Information will also be distributed on LMPD’s social media.
- Within 24-72 hours after the shooting, the department will release information about the officers involved. That will include a department photo and history with LMPD.
- The victim’s identity will be released from the coroner’s office, per state law.
- Within 10 business days, LMPD will release bodycam video from officers involved in the shooting. The video that is released will include an introduction and explanation of the investigative process. Criminal and administrative investigations will continue as well.
- Copies of the investigation will be sent to Kentucky State Police, the Commonwealth's Attorney Office and the Office of the Inspector General for review.
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