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Louisville leaders want more black officers on the police force, more accountability

Community leaders say they want LMPD to better reflect the community it serves.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Community leaders in Louisville say they're done with talking and they want changes when it comes to racial injustice and the Louisville Metro Police Department.

The Louisville Urban League wants to see LMPD recruit more minority police officers so the department better reflects the community it serves.

Right now, 12% of LMPD officers are black. The department would need to double that to properly represent the black community of Louisville.

"We are a melting pot. Our police should reflect the community that it serves. It just makes sense," Sadiqa Reynolds, President and CEO of the Louisville Urban League, said.

The Urban League wants answers to the following: 

  • How much money is the Louisville Metro Police Department spending on minority recruitment?
  • What type of power will the Civilian Review Board have and how quickly will they have access to whatever resources they need?

Accountability is a big demand as well. When police officers mess up on the job, community leaders want them removed quickly.

"We know there are good officers, but when our community is unsafe, it’s unsafe for all of us," Reynolds said.

Contact reporter Kristin Pierce at kpierce@whas11.com. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook

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