LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) officer accused of punching a man at Jefferson Square Park in 2021 has been exonerated, according to the results of a Professional Standards Unit investigation.
In investigation files released Thursday, Police Chief Erika Shields said the actions of the officers involved in the arrest of Denorver “Dee” Garrett "complied with policy" and those officers will not face punishment.
"It's allowing the foxes to investigate the foxes who invaded the chicken house, so no, I'm not surprised,” David Mour, Garret’s lawyer, said. “ I'm disappointed, obviously."
"And we wonder why people in Louisville don't trust the police,” Garrett said.
Garrett was arrested on April 18, 2021, for "causing a disturbance to the public and causing a safety issue to motorists" on W. Jefferson at 6th Street, according to his arrest citation. When officers tried to detain him, they claimed Garrett resisted arrest, prompting one of them - Officer Aaron Ambers - to punch him in the head multiple times. The incident was captured on video and shared on social media.
Garrett was initially charged with disorderly conduct, but those charges were later dropped. He filed a lawsuit against Ambers, alleging wrongful arrest and battery.
Newly released investigative files include nine different angles of the arrest from police body cameras.
In one video from Ambers, he and Officer Cory Galloway approach Garrett while he's on the sidewalk, and Galloway tells him he's under arrest.
In a different angle, Galloway says Garrett is flexing as they try to handcuff him.
Ambers tells Garrett to "put his hands together," and Galloway tells Garrett, "knock that out bud."
Ambers then tells Galloway to "take him down."
While on the ground, officers tell Garrett to put his hands behind his back and to stop resisting. In between punches to the head, Ambers repeats the message.
Mour said Garrett wasn't resisting arrest.
Garrett said that day still haunts him.
"I think about my daughter," Garrett said. "Every time she see a police or a police car she always telling me, 'Daddy, the police is following us. Daddy, I'm scared they're gonna hurt you. Daddy, I'm scared they're going to take you away from me.'"
Mour said he's hopeful federal charges will come from the Department of Justice, which is still investigating LMPD's use of force.
While Shields said Ambers' actions "raise serious questions and are not consistent with LMPD training" in the PSU documents, she said the blame should not solely fall on him.
"As a department, we strive to do better and recognize that there were multiple factors which contributed to this incident and need addressing," she said.
The PSU files include several recommendations the department will follow moving forward.
The three sergeants involved in Garrett's arrest will be required to take counseling courses on de-escalation tactics and Shields said the entire department's de-escalation and force policies will need to be reviewed.
In addition, incoming officers who will work in patrol or tactical assignments will be required to take Jiu-Jitsu classes to give them a wider selection of "appropriate force" actions when making an arrest.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.