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​LMPD to investigate traffic stop that has raised racial profiling concerns in community

​LMPD to investigate traffic stop that has raised racial profiling concerns in community
WEBVTT LMPD IS LAUNCHING AN INVESTIGATION INTO A TRAFFIC STOP INVOLVING SIMMONS COLLEGE PRESIDENT DOCTOR KEVIN COSBY. THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS GATHERED TO ADDRESS THE MATTER. DOCTOR COSBY WAS STOPPED SATURDAY NIGHT, AT THE INTERESECTION OF 22ND AND MUHAMMAD ALI BOULEVARD. VIDEO OF IT WAS POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY HIS DAUGHTER. OFFICERS CLAIMED HE MADE AN IMPROPER TURN. SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS RAISED CONCERNS THAT HE WAS STOPPED BECAUSE HE IS BLACK. HIS DAUGHTER SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY TONIGHT BY NO MEANS ARE WE JUDGING THE INTENT OF THE POLICE OFFICER NOR ARE WE CALLING FOR HIS TERMINATION. WE FEEL THAT HIS ACTIONS WERE INAPPROPRIATE AND REFLECT FRUSTRATION OF MANY BLACK CITIZENS. THAT THEY ARE POORLY TREATED BY THE POLICE AND THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. IN A STATEMENT, METRO POLICE CHIEF STEVE CONRAD SAYS, MAKING OUR COMMUNITY SAFER REQUIRES ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER, COLLABORATING TO IMPROVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND REDUCE CRIME. TO DO THAT, WE MUST BE WILLING TO HAVE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS AND BE WILLING TO IMPROVE. MAYOR GREG FISCHER ALSO PUT OUT A STATEMENT, SAYING IN PART, I APPRECIATE THAT LMPD IS PLANNING TO REVIEW THE INCIDENT AND IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THEIR PRACTICES AND TRAI
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​LMPD to investigate traffic stop that has raised racial profiling concerns in community
The Louisville Metro Police Department announced Tuesday that it will be investigating a traffic stop that has raised concerns about racial profiling.The department's Professional Standards Unit will investigate the stop conducted by 1st Division officers Saturday night. Community members have raised concerns that the driver, the Rev. Kevin Cosby, was stopped because he was black. Cosby is the president of Simmons College of Kentucky and the senior pastor of St. Stephen Baptist Church.Officers claimed Cosby made an improper turn. The investigation will examine whether the officers followed policies and procedures properly."Accusations of racial profiling by any member of our community have been and continue to be taken very seriously," Police Chief Steve Conrad said in a statement Tuesday. "We will review this incident to determine if officers acted according to our policies. Additionally, we will use this as an opportunity to review how officers are trained in handling traffic stops."“I have spoken with Rev. Cosby and Chief Steve Conrad. I appreciate that LMPD is planning to review the incident and identify opportunities to improve their practices and training," Mayor Greg Fischer said. "As mayor, I will continue to direct all Metro agencies, including LMPD, to look for ways to improve their operations and community relationships."Video of the stop was posted on social media by Cosby's family.Several community members showed support for Cosby at a gathering Tuesday night.Cosby's daughter, Christine, said she hopes everyone can use this as a learning opportunity. "Our city, like cities throughout the United States, has a serious a relationship problem between the black community and the police department," she said. Only when we have the courage to face this can we fix this."

The Louisville Metro Police Department announced Tuesday that it will be investigating a traffic stop that has raised concerns about racial profiling.

The department's Professional Standards Unit will investigate the stop conducted by 1st Division officers Saturday night.

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Community members have raised concerns that the driver, the Rev. Kevin Cosby, was stopped because he was black. Cosby is the president of Simmons College of Kentucky and the senior pastor of St. Stephen Baptist Church.

Officers claimed Cosby made an improper turn.

The investigation will examine whether the officers followed policies and procedures properly.

"Accusations of racial profiling by any member of our community have been and continue to be taken very seriously," Police Chief Steve Conrad said in a statement Tuesday. "We will review this incident to determine if officers acted according to our policies. Additionally, we will use this as an opportunity to review how officers are trained in handling traffic stops."

“I have spoken with Rev. Cosby and Chief Steve Conrad. I appreciate that LMPD is planning to review the incident and identify opportunities to improve their practices and training," Mayor Greg Fischer said. "As mayor, I will continue to direct all Metro agencies, including LMPD, to look for ways to improve their operations and community relationships."

Video of the stop was posted on social media by Cosby's family.

Several community members showed support for Cosby at a gathering Tuesday night.

Cosby's daughter, Christine, said she hopes everyone can use this as a learning opportunity.

"Our city, like cities throughout the United States, has a serious a relationship problem between the black community and the police department," she said.
Only when we have the courage to face this can we fix this."