Jackson to seek Justice probe of Louisville police

Special to the World

Louisville, Ky. - The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson announced March 11 that he will seek a federal probe of the police department here for its recent antics surrounding the shooting death of an unarmed Black teenager last year and for its patterns of racial profiling in the city.

Desmond Rudolph, an unarmed 18-year-old, was shot 22 times by two white police officers as he attempted to flee in a stolen vehicle. The shooting, which occurred three months after the controversial police killing of Amadou Diallo in New York, sparked weeks of controversy and heightened racial tensions in this city of 270,000 people.

Jackson was angered that members of the Louisville police force are rebelling against Mayor David Armstrong for firing Police Chief Eugene Sherrad after he gave "exceptional valor" awards to the officers involved in the Rudolph shooting. The March 2 firing sparked demonstrations by hundreds of police, including the top nine commanders of the 720-member force.

"These police officers are attempting to usurp the authority of the mayor," Jackson said.

"By instigating a slowdown, leaving their assigned districts and calling for the mayor's resignation, they are defying the whole community. It seems they are attempting to perform a coup d'état right in the middle of Louisville. Their behavior is disgraceful and should be a national embarrassment to police departments everywhere."

The civil rights leader said Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton must not be silent about Louisville troubles or allegations of racial profiling in the state. "If local police are refusing to do their jobs, who will serve and protect the citizens of Louisville," Jackson stated.

"Perhaps the Justice Department should take a closer look at this city and determine how its attitudes towards people of color have clouded their judgment. Desmond Rudolph didn't have to die."

Reportedly, Louisville police and the Fraternal Order of Police are planning to hold a second, larger demonstration in support of Sherrad this week. In the meantime a coalition of 30 community groups is working to gain support for a civilian review board ordinance that is currently being discussed by the Louisville Board of Aldermen.