P O S I T I O N S T A T E M E N T
November 3, 2021
Louisville Urban League’s Statement on FOP Contracts
Community trust in police is more fragile than ever before and this dynamic won’t get better if the community does not see an effort to ensure accountability. If we are to heal and rebuild public trust and public safety, it is imperative that Metro Council members do their part.
Historically, when police reforms are in discussion, elected officials offer carrots with ease, but are reluctant to engage both the carrot and the stick. In other words, we shouldn’t increase pay without increasing accountability. Considering the pain, trauma and violence we have experienced as a community our expectation is that any negotiated police contract would prioritize accountability.
Before 2020, most people had never heard of the Fraternal Order of Police and very few knew what was included in our local FOP contract. Today, members of our community recognize this document as one of the most important tools we have to help ensure accountability and to help rebuild community trust.
While Metro Council members do not participate in the negotiation of the contract, you do have the power and responsibility to support and echo the voices and needs of your constituents and our collective community.
Police have argued that a living wage is critical for recruiting the best talent in any field. Thus, with no exception to that profession, we continue to advocate for a raise in minimum wages for all workers in Louisville and across Kentucky. However, with increased pay must come increased accountability.
In a recent story by WFPL, it was reported that Campaign Zero examined 81 police contracts from across the nation and found that of the six categories of “problematic language” identified, Louisville’s contract contained all six.
It would be a fatal flaw to leave contractual language that fails to ensure a new way of doing business for LMPD. Having reviewed the Campaign Zero studies and material we believe that our community deserves and expects the changes outlined in their recommendations.
We want to see changes in the new contracts that prevent the employment of individuals deemed unsuitable for employment by another police department. We also believe the personnel file and disciplinary record of an officer coming from another law enforcement agency to LMPD should be public and must be reviewed by any hiring body before an offer is extended.
For example, before Brett Hankison was fired by the Police Chief, he was an officer with the Lexington Police Department. In 2002, Hankinson was terminated and his former Lexington supervisor recommended that he not be employed as a police officer. Despite a history of misconduct and clear recommendations against his hiring, Hankison was allowed to join LMPD in 2003 where he was later accused by at least two women of sexual assault and where he went on to violate policy and the law, leading to the killing of Breonna Taylor. Metro Council members must review the contract with prevention in mind.
Further, any approved contract should prevent investigations into police misconduct from being extended over long periods of time. As an example, Hankison was guilty of driving the wrong way down the street and, in so doing, injuring another officer, the investigation into this matter should have happened expeditiously. Is the contract silent on timelines for investigations. Officers engaged in this type of gross misconduct should suffer immediate discipline, to protect other officers and the community. No contract signed should allow investigations to linger indefinitely.
Finally, we must hold leadership accountable. There must be clauses written in any contract that keep those at the top responsible for their actions. If policies are broken by subordinates, there should be no excuse for the infractions to go unaddressed. Any disciplinary action for breaking a policy should be dealt with in a way that is comparable to the severity of the action.
We implore the metro council to review the contract and consider the challenges, considering the challenges our community has suffered through, and before voting yes ensure that we have addressed the matters that serve as barriers to justice. Louisville deserves better.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
[email protected] | (502) 512-3681
About the Louisville Urban League
The Louisville Urban League assists African Americans and those at the margins in attaining social and economic equality and stability through direct services and advocacy. For more information, go to lul.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@louisvilleUL), or Instagram (@louisville_ul).
