LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new report from the University of Louisville and the mayor's Office of Equity released a study on Friday called "The History of Policing in Louisville."
According to a news release, the 64-page report looks back on policing in Louisville, identifying patterns of institutional harm and how to change them. The report dates back all the way to Louisville's settlement in 1778.
“From harsher punishments levied against Black Louisvillians during slavery times to the segregation of patrol officers even 40 years after the police force desegregated to the disparate number of violent deaths of Black residents at the hands of Louisville police in the 21st century, our study revealed racial discrimination that is systematic, persistent, and inadequately censured," Dr. Catherine Fosl, one of the lead researchers of the report, said. "We simply need to do better."
Mayor Craig Greenberg said in order to improve the Louisville Metro Police Department, it's important to know the history.
"It's important that we acknowledge the challenges of the past, things that we may have wished wouldn't have happened in the past, learn from that history so we can truly have the best police department in America," he said. "One that works with the community to prevent violent crime from happening."
The mayor's office is planning a community listening session sometime in the next few weeks where people can share their thoughts and reactions to the report.
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