Louisville, Ky. – The Louisville Metro Council has approved a $350,000 contract aimed at analyzing the Louisville Metro Police Department’s (LMPD) interactions with the public. The contract, which passed in a 19-4 vote with one member abstaining, will fund a detailed review of police practices using research-driven data analytics to identify potential biases and improve overall policing effectiveness.
The analysis will be conducted by Sigma Squared, Inc., a Delaware-based data analytics firm founded in response to the 2020 social justice protests. Sigma Squared specializes in analyzing data to pinpoint issues like bias in police interactions, including traffic stops and use of force. The company’s platform will provide a comprehensive evaluation of LMPD’s operations, with a specific focus on uncovering any underlying biases that may affect policing in Louisville.
According to the council, the objective of the analysis is to promote both equity and effectiveness within the police department. By examining LMPD’s practices through a data-driven lens, the analysis aims to identify areas where bias may exist and explore the root causes of those disparities. The results will also be used to improve police performance and inform future training, ensuring that the department is better equipped to serve the community fairly.
The decision to fund this analysis comes amid ongoing efforts nationwide to address concerns about police practices and their impact on marginalized communities. In Louisville, this contract represents a step toward rebuilding trust between the police and the public, which has been strained in recent years.
Sigma Squared’s approach emphasizes transparency and accountability, offering an “accurate accounting” of police activities. The firm’s methods will include reviewing data on traffic stops, use of force incidents, and other police-public interactions, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of LMPD’s practices. This information is expected to provide valuable insights into areas where the department can improve.
City officials are optimistic that the findings from this analysis will lead to meaningful reforms and improvements in police-community relations. As the data collection and analysis process begins, all eyes will be on how the results are applied to shape future police training and policies in Louisville.
