LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A federal report investigating into Louisville's police department, which has been considered imminent for some time, has stretched into a months-long wait now going the holidays.
Now, Louisville's mayor-elect Craig Greenberg says he's preparing for the findings of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the city to come in 2023, after he's sworn in, instead of being announced in the final days of outgoing Mayor Greg Fischer's third term.
In response to one of WHAS11's questions at a Monday news conference to discuss inauguration plans, Greenberg said he's had an introductory call with DOJ officials, but the timeline of when they'll release the report is still unclear.
"I have been briefed by the current administration and the County Attorney's office about what they're aware of with respect to the DOJ's work over the last year or so in our community," he said. "My guess is it will be after the new year."
It's been 20 months since U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the DOJ would be investigating the patterns and practices at Louisville Metro Police (LMPD). It's expected to trigger a negotiated consent decree to address constitutional violations if they're found.
On Monday, Mayor Fischer's office confirmed no updates on timing have been given to them either.
"It's going to be a team effort of our administration, the county attorney, as well as LMPD. They have done a very thorough job preparing for the report, anticipating things that might come," Greenberg said.
Greenberg says in the meantime, they'll continue to expand upon reforms already made by LMPD in the last year-plus.
It comes as the mayor-elect has begun to build out his senior staff, announcing four deputy mayors last week: A team with significant experience within the Metro Council, which has been briefed consistently on changes police have been making to improve the culture.
WHAS11 asked if the pending report adds to the urgency to find a permanent chief of police as soon as possible, to make sure the city is ready to implement whatever changes are mandated.
"I feel that urgency for this reason and many others. The community wants, expects and deserves a permanent police chief, so right after the inauguration -- getting that search process underway will begin immediately."
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