LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As the city of Louisville marks the five-year anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s tragic death, community members gathered at a Metro Council meeting on Thursday to advocate for the swift signing of the city’s consent decree. The decree, which outlines a series of police reforms, has been in limbo since its agreement in December 2024, as a federal judge has yet to approve it.
Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was shot and killed by Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) during a raid on her apartment on March 13, 2020. The raid, executed without knocking, sparked national outrage and led to calls for justice and police reform. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an investigation into Taylor’s death, which culminated in the consent decree. Though both the DOJ and LMPD have agreed to its terms, the decree’s implementation has been delayed due to the judge’s uncertainty about its necessity.
The consent decree mandates a series of reforms aimed at addressing issues within the police department, including excessive use of force, discriminatory practices, and a lack of accountability. These changes would be monitored by an independent body to ensure they are effectively carried out.
Dr. Catherine Fosl, a prominent advocate for the reform, spoke passionately at the council meeting, urging city leaders not to delay further progress. “Excessive force, discriminatory treatment — physics tells us an object in motion tends to remain in motion, and that awful kind of motion has been ongoing in our policing,” she said. “We have come a long way toward enacting what is called a consent decree. Let’s not stop now.”
Despite the judge’s hesitation, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey have publicly stated their commitment to enacting the reforms, regardless of whether the decree is formally signed. “We are committed to making the necessary changes within LMPD,” Mayor Greenberg affirmed. “The progress we’ve made so far is only the beginning, and we will continue to push forward with the necessary reforms.”
The delay in the judge’s approval has left many in the community frustrated, as the city continues to reckon with its troubled history of police violence and racial disparities in law enforcement. The consent decree represents a significant step forward in rebuilding trust between the police and the communities they serve, but without the judge’s official approval, the city remains in a state of uncertainty.
As the anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s death serves as a painful reminder of the work still left to be done, advocates and city leaders are urging action to ensure that justice is not only pursued but achieved.
