Louisville watchdog seeks police oversight rules
Inspector General Ed Harness told a national conference that current reforms are incomplete and the department needs a binding process to address his findings.
By Carlos Rousseau ·
Louisville’s independent police watchdog says reform efforts are moving forward, but he needs more power to enforce his recommendations.
Ed Harness, the city’s inspector general, made the point on Monday during a speech at the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement conference. The event brought together civilian oversight leaders, police officials, and local residents in Louisville.
Harness noted that the Louisville Metro Police Department often chooses how, or whether, to act on his office’s findings. Without a third party to judge his analysis, the department can effectively ignore his advice.
He argued for a new ordinance that would require the police force to respond to his reports. He also called for a neutral arbiter to determine if the inspector general’s office is correct in its investigations.
Harness has previously identified specific problems within the department, including heavy caseloads for detectives and racial disparities in traffic stops and vehicle searches.
Councilwoman Betsy Ruhe, who attended the session, said the talk gave her new ideas to pursue. She expressed concern that the mayor often sides with the police department when it disagrees with the watchdog’s findings.
Harness described his presentation as a full look at the city’s current situation and the steps needed to make oversight more effective.
