ACLU pressures LMPD to release traffic report

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky launched a campaign Tuesday to pressure the Louisville Metro Police Department to release a long-awaited study on whether traffic stops have been influenced by race.

The group appealed to the Kentucky Attorney General to intervene, and created a graphic they hope will be shared via social media, which includes the hashtag #WhereIsTheReport.

Police Chief Steve Conrad commissioned the $55,000 taxpayer-funded report in 2012 to combat widespread speculation that officers use racial profiling in traffic enforcement.

University of Louisville researcher Deborah Keeling analyzed data from traffic stops conducted between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013.

Keeling submitted her findings to the department, where they have remained for weeks under review.

The ACLU's campaign is based on media reports: in June, a spokesman for the department told WFPL that the report would be completed by the end of summer. It was not.

"We believe LMPD has failed to demonstrate transparency and openness with the community when the release of the report was delayed beyond its promised date at the end of the summer," ACLU's executive director Michael Aldridge wrote in a press release. "We strongly encourage LMPD officials to be open and forthcoming with the community in order to maintain the public trust."

But the police department dismisses their allegation as a misunderstanding blown out of proportion.

"The study was self-initiated. It never had a promised deadline, we provided an idea of when we hoped it would be completed as a courtesy," spokesman Phil Russell said Tuesday.

He declined to say when the report is now expected to be completed, saying only it should be released "very soon."

The report remains in "draft" stage, which is exempt from public records laws.

The ACLU filed an open records request with the department three weeks ago. The organization was told they would have a response by Monday, Oct. 20. The police department responded Monday that the "final report has not been received."

Russell said Keeling provided data and analysis. The department is now reviewing her work to answer questions and provide context, he said.

The ACLU on Tuesday asked Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway to review the police department's refusal to release the report.

Reporter Claire Galofaro can be reached at (502) 582-7086. Follow her on Twitter at @clairegalofaro.