Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting (https://kycir.org/series/lmpd-search-warrants/)
The Breonna Taylor warrant brought scrutiny on many aspects of how search warrants are written, approved and executed in Louisville. We analyze hundreds of search warrants.
LMPD Detective Brian Bailey got more warrants than anyone else. An analysis shows he relied heavily on confidential informants — two of whom he’s been accused of sexually abusing.
The city banned no-knocks, but that doesn’t affect how LMPD uses “forced entry.” Records show they bust doors down an average of twice a week.
The judges met confidentially Tuesday and didn’t answer questions about the vote until Friday afternoon.
Court officials are saying their meeting, and minutes from that meeting, are confidential.
The proposal would overhaul the court’s process for issuing search warrants with the aim to boost transparency.
The LMPD made the change shortly after KyCIR and WDRB reported the state issued the new forms — and LMPD wasn’t using it.
Law enforcement agencies in Kentucky have a new way to bring more transparency to the process of obtaining a search warrant, but police in Louisville aren’t using it.
We reviewed more than 230 search warrants approved by Louisville judges. It’s unclear who signed nearly three-fourths of them.
Critics say the search warrant process lacks transparency, oversight and fairness. But many Louisville judges defend the current system.