NOS News•
The police of the American city of Louisville have been guilty of much more wrongdoing than just the death of Breonna Taylor, the innocent black woman who was shot dead during a search. A report from the Ministry of Justice speaks of discrimination among officers, excessive violence and tampering with search warrants.
The investigation was launched after the fatal raid on Taylor’s home. Her boyfriend opened fire when officers kicked in the door without warning. The unarmed Taylor, who was sleeping at the time of the search, was hit several times by police bullets. She died on the spot.
The officers were conducting a drug investigation into Taylor’s ex. Neither she nor her new boyfriend were mentioned in it. The case, together with the death of George Floyd, led to worldwide Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020. The next of kin eventually received compensation of 12 million dollars.
Lost trust
The justice investigation now shows that officers more often violated the civil rights of residents of Louisville. Officers were more likely to stop and racially abuse black citizens, use false pretenses to get search warrants, and use minor infractions as an excuse to investigate further.
Agents were also guilty of a lot of violence. People who no longer posed a threat faced dangerous neck clamps, biting dogs and electroshock weapons.
“This behavior is unacceptable, heartbreaking,” Minister Garland said when announcing the results. “This is losing the trust of the community that is necessary for the police to operate effectively. It is an insult to all the officers who risk their lives every day to serve Louisville with honor.”
Deep wounds
“It’s heartbreaking to realize that everything you’ve said from day one needs to be repeated,” Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, said. “This should never have happened and it took three years for anyone to admit it.”
Mayor Greenberg says the city will try to heal the deep wounds. “We have to face what we are so that we can get where we want to be.”
The Louisville Police Department will get an independent overseer to implement reforms.
