In 2016, the Louisville Police Department acknowledged one of their officers was under investigation for his conduct in the Explorer Scout program – a program for youth aspiring to have careers in policing. This spark would set off a chain of events that are almost unimaginable in their depravity.
The city hired a U.S. attorney to investigate, who found horrific issues! The county hid 738,000 records in the Explorer sex abuse case, and lied to keep the records from the public. This shows they KNEW about the abuse.
This is also the same department responsible for Breonna Taylor’s killing.
The officers were ultimately unable to hide what they did. Sexually abusing teens, child pornography, and more exposed officers abusing their power to target young people. Now that the truth is out, it shows how the public can be misled.
Although information is still coming out, and some consequences have been faced, it highlights a widespread problem. Police often get away with the very crimes they’re supposed to be solving. It’s not just “bad apples!” It’s a systemic issue.
Officers regularly abuse power and they don’t usually get caught. And when the victims are Black, there are frequently no consequences. Resources wasted on these officers abusing youth could have been put to much better use – perhaps HELPING youth with education, housing, jobs, or other needs!