In response to the murder of Breonna Taylor, the Department of Justice conducted an investigation of the Louisville Metro police department (LMPD). It concluded that LMPD engaged in a pattern and practice of violating the constitutional rights of Louisville citizens, and the ADA’s non-discrimination provisions for people with disabilities. In December 2024, DOJ and LMPD signed a Consent Decree, which required significant modifications to Louisville’s 911 dispatch program, including providing a behavioral health response to mental health emergencies, consistent with public safety.
CPR, and its partners the Bazelon Center and Baker Hostetler LLP, submitted an amici brief on behalf of 19 national mental health experts, law enforcement professionals, national and local mental health advocacy organizations, and local homeless service providers. The brief described why behavioral health responses were more appropriate, more effective, less expensive, and safer than dispatching armed police to mental health emergency calls. The brief urged the Court to approve the Decree, and the behavioral health provisions as reasonable modifications under the ADA. In response to the Court’s request for further briefing, CPR and its partners will submit an additional brief discussing the national and local data on the effectiveness of behavioral health responses.