LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Metro councilmember Shameka Parrish-Wright, District 3, is urging Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, to support her resubmitted resolution that would have Metro Government and Louisville Police Department formally recognize a history of excessive force and civil rights violations.

What You Need To Know

  • Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by Lousiville Police on March 13, 2020

  • Councilmember Shameka Parrish-Wright resubmitted a resolution seeking accountability from Louisville Metro Police Department

  • A Federal judge is considering codifying a consent decree between the Metro Government and the Department of Justice

  • Parrish-Wright’s resolution also urges the city to dismiss any criminal charges filed against Louisville residents relating to the 2020 protests

Parish-Wright resubmitted a resolution which would have Metro Government and Louisville Police Department formally recognize a history of excessive force and civil rights violations as outlined in the Department of Justice report issued in 2023.

“We’re going to reintroduce this and we’re going to try again to get to a place where we can formally acknowledge this together,” Parrish-Wright said.

The resolution includes many of the findings outlined in the DOJ report from two years ago. It found evidence that the Louisville Police engaged in a pattern of civil rights violations and excessive use of force against residents.

“And included are the findings that have been widely accepted, that are on our website, that are part of the truth and transformation that started under Mayor Fischer before, all of these things have been accepted,” Parrish-Wright said.

Parrish-Wright’s resolution was voted down last year by Metro Council.

The resolution has language found verbatim in the DOJ report including:

  • “LMPD conducts searches based on invalid warrants.”
  • “LMPD unlawfully executes search warrants without knocking and announcing.”
  • “LMPD unlawfully stops, searches, detains, and arrests people during street enforcement activities, including traffic and pedestrian stops.”
    Former State Rep. Attica Scott spoke on the anniversary of Breonna Taylor's death Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Spectrum News 1\Jonathon Gregg)

Former state Rep. Attica Scott spoke in favor of the resolution. 

“In her resolution, she states the police as an institution cannot fix itself. The problem of policing cannot be untangled from the broader structural issues of inequality, racism and poverty,” Scott said.

The resolution also supports redirecting budget surpluses at LMPD.

“Instead of merely increasing police budgets every year, money should be redirected to comprehensively cover the economic, social, education and health needs of vulnerable communities in Louisville,” Scott said.

Mayor Greenberg provided this statement to Spectrum News:

“Today marks the 5th anniversary of the death of Breonna Taylor. It is important to remember Breonna and reiterate that this city is committed to continuing police reform and implementing the policies and practices outlined in the consent decree. Working together with Chief Humphrey and our community, we will continue to move forward in a new direction–committed to public safety, accountability and transparency.”

Wright’s resolution also urges the city to dismiss any criminal charges filed against Louisville residents relating to the 2020 protests. 

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