LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Councilmembers expressed their frustration and shock after hearing about a third sexual harassment allegation in one week within Louisville Metro Police (LMPD).
Councilmembers debated a resolution to rebuild trust in the community between LMPD after a history of unfair treatment.
"The people have asked to be part of the negotiations, we can keep asking until we're blue in the face, unless the administration does that it won't happen but that does not mean it should not be represented in this resolution," said Shameka Parrish-Wright, councilwoman of District 3.
She and Councilman Jecorey Arthur of District 4 were urging other council leaders to vote 'yes' in support of the resolution.
"This resolution is acknowledging the knife giving us direction on how to pull it out and heal the pain that our community is feeling," Arthur said.
The resolution failed, but Councilmember Paula McCraney of District 7 said it needs to be written more specifically, with detailed actions for the department to be held accountable.
"Wanting the DOJ to investigate properly and thoroughly so that we can bring about change and so we can bring about the healing that this community needs," she said.
Attorney Sara Collins got emotional after hearing the mayor say there will be significant changes within LMPD.
This comes after Collins client, Sgt. Lauren Carby, filed a lawsuit on Thursday. It said she was sexually harassed at an adult pool party at the home of Maj. Shannon Lauder and her husband, Lt. Jeff Lauder, in August 2020.
Shannon is the same person who recently made a sexual harassment allegation against another LMPD major.
"This is probably the closest I've ever heard a city leader come to saying we have to do better and we have to do more and this is a problem," Collins said.
At that pool party, Carby claims Jeff made multiple inappropriate comments and, "repeatedly made unwanted unsolicited sexual advances toward her, which she repeatedly rejected."
Carby claims Jeff told her his wife had given him permission to "approach Lauren and to pursue an extramarital sexual relationship with her"… and that Shannon had an ongoing relationship with another detective.
In the suit, Carby said Shannon was "often grossly inappropriate in front of and toward officers under her command in workplace environments."
"We want to see this toxic, sexualized, misogyny, rich culture smashed and destroyed," said Collins.
She's waiting to see what changes the mayor will announce within the police department.
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.