Infusing Evidence into Police Reform: Field Initiated Action Research with the Louisville Metro Police Department

After several high-profile critical incidents, the Department of Justice initiated a Patterns or Practice Investigation of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), concluding in March 2023 that the agency engaged in conduct violating constitutional rights and federal law. Now facing federally mandated reforms to change policies, training, accountability, and supervision, LMPD sees an opportunity to transform into a "learning lab" to generate and use empirical evidence. This effort is unique, as few police agencies under federal oversight have embraced the opportunity to develop robust external research partnerships and internal research capabilities at the scale necessary to rigorously test the impact of their reforms and evolve into learning organizations.

LMPD has trusted partnerships with members of a nationally recognized, diverse, multi-disciplinary research team at The Ohio State University. They bring extensive experience collaborating with police agencies, implementing organizational reforms, and serving as embedded researchers. Together, they will evaluate, inform, and disseminate scientific findings related to implementing consent decree reforms—many that are untested – including changes to use of force, search warrant processes, and enforcement activities. 

The partnership’s goals include: (1) Implementing and evaluating policies and practices to address critical policing issues and reform measures; (2) Collaboratively developing tools and resources to support evidence-based reform efforts; (3) Innovating approaches to use new technologies to implement evidence-based strategies enhancing public safety and reforms; (4) Strengthening LMPD’s capacity to conduct future research and implement evidence-based practices through technical assistance and training; and (5) Disseminating findings, tools, and resources nationally using creative and inclusive strategies to reach multiple audiences.

Specific research questions developed in partnership with LMPD will be addressed using mixed methods, including policy analyses, administrative data reviews, officer surveys, and community feedback. Quantitative analyses will employ descriptive statistics, multivariate regression, hierarchical linear modeling, interrupted time series analysis, and propensity score matching.

The project emphasizes a "rapid research response" to ensure immediate impact and data-driven problem-solving. Recognizing the urgency of actionable feedback, the partnership anticipates an intensive two-year period with embedded technical support, teaching, coaching, and mentoring. Dissemination will include conference presentations, podcasts, webinars, best practice guides, executive briefs, scholarly articles, and a final comprehensive report to the National Institute of Justice. By adopting a collaborative and action-oriented approach, the partnership aims to holistically evaluate LMPD's reform efforts and thereby maximize positive outcomes, minimize unintended consequences, and cultivate a data-driven policing culture that prioritizes evidence-based strategies, accountability, and continuous improvement within LMPD and beyond. CA/NCF