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LMPD launches new investigation into officer reprimanded for actions during 2020 protests

The FBI declined to charge Dean with any criminal or civil rights violations.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police have launched a new investigation into an officer recently reprimanded for his actions during the 2020 protests.

Officer Dusten Dean received a letter of reprimand for hitting a journalist with pepper balls  — which are like paintballs loaded with pepper spray —  during the protests over Breonna Taylor's death.

He was also on desk duty for three years which Chief Paul Humphrey considered part of his punishment. The FBI declined to charge Dean with any criminal or civil rights violations.

In a statement, the department says they've learned of new incidents that were not part of their initial investigation.

The full statement from LMPD reads: 

“LMPD and its officers remain committed to transparency and moving forward with providing essential public safety. The FBI initiated an investigation into Officer Dean which lasted over three years. At the conclusion of that investigation the FBI closed its case against Officer Dean without charging him with any criminal or civil rights violations. Subsequently a Professional Standards Unit investigation was initiated. The scope of that investigation directed investigators to examine the specific incident in question involving Officer Dean’s use of a pepper ball system against a journalist. Chief Humphrey determined his findings based on the information presented in that investigation. Incidents that were not part of the initial investigation, and unrelated to the interaction with the journalist, were just recently brought to the attention of Chief Humphrey. He takes this matter seriously and is initiating an investigation into those incidents. The police department will provide an expedient review of the new allegations.”

WHAS11 is working to find out more about the new investigation and will update as more becomes available.

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