LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville’s police chief was suspended this week as a result of she mishandled a police main’s sexual harassment criticism, the key’s lawyer mentioned Thursday.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg made the shock announcement Wednesday night that Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel can be positioned on administrative depart for mishandling a sexual harassment criticism involving Louisville cops. Greenberg didn’t elaborate on the character of the allegation or who was concerned.
The sexual harassment criticism was introduced by Maj. Shannon Lauder in opposition to one other main, a person. Lauder reported it to Gwinn-Villaroel throughout a Might assembly of command employees, and later that very same assembly, the person was promoted to lieutenant colonel, lawyer Jared Smith mentioned.
On the assembly, Gwinn-Villaroel had requested if there have been any issues about working with different members of the command employees, Smith mentioned in an electronic mail assertion.
“I cannot have a significant that can’t get alongside and assist one other main since you all had a difficulty,” Smith mentioned Gwinn-Villaroel instructed the command employees on the assembly. “And if you happen to can’t do this, flip in your stuff to me immediately.”
Lauder had joined remotely resulting from an sickness and recorded the assembly, Smith mentioned. After the chief known as on her, Lauder recognized a male main and mentioned he “sexually harassed me and attacked me. I can not work with him,” in keeping with Smith.
Shortly after, the chief introduced the promotion of that male main to lieutenant colonel, Smith mentioned.
“The chief’s response to Maj. Lauder’s allegation paints an unsettling image of a division missing sturdy management and failing to prioritize the well-being of its officers,” Smith mentioned.
Louisville police referred questions on Lauder’s allegations to the mayor’s workplace Thursday. A mayor’s spokesperson mentioned he couldn’t remark resulting from an ongoing inner investigation.
Greenberg mentioned Wednesday he was significantly involved concerning the chief’s dealing with of the allegation, significantly given the U.S. Justice Division’s investigation that wrapped up final yr. The DOJ mentioned it “recognized deficiencies” within the Louisville division’s response to allegations of sexual misconduct or home violence amongst officers.
“I cannot tolerate sexual misconduct in Louisville Metro Authorities, together with in LMPD,” Greenberg mentioned Wednesday.
Smith mentioned Lauder had not beforehand reported the alleged harassment, although she was “exploring methods to report the criticism in a confidential method.” However Lauder felt compelled to complain in entrance of her colleagues “as a result of method she was placed on the spot by the chief,” Smith mentioned.
Gwinn-Villaroel was named chief lower than a yr in the past, changing into the primary Black girl to guide the division in a full-time position.
She is the division’s third full-time chief since Breonna Taylor was shot to demise by officers throughout a botched raid in 2020. The division has additionally had three interim chiefs throughout that point, together with a stint by Gwinn-Villaroel.
