LMPD rejects Inspector General recommendations for internal investigation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Omari Cryer’s final moments were captured on police body camera.

The video showed him in possession of a handgun as he leapt over a fence attempting to escape officers.

Almost three years later, LMPD’s handling of the investigation in that fatal shooting brings serious questions from the city’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), and strong words from Police Chief Paul Humphrey.

“I can’t sit by and let inaccurate accusations and characterizations of their performance go unanswered,” Humphrey said, protecting his officers at a press conference Tuesday.

The OIG, which is responsible for citizen oversight of LMPD, recommended an investigation into:

• possible false statements
• missing documents in the case file
• possible violations of police procedure
• a missing 60-day review conducted by a supervisor
• a possible violation of the 4th Amendment which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures

But, after a review of findings, Humphrey disputed all 13 points raised by the OIG and said there will be no further investigation.

“I would not normally come out and try to refute any of his allegations,” Humphrey said. “I would look into them, and I would move on. But this is pretty inflammatory and I think it’s appropriate that we address it this way because the officers of LMPD and the US Marshals probation and parole were absolutely out there doing the work that I believe we need officers out there doing every day.”

The conference began with disputing the OIG’s allegation that the arrest warrant contained false information.

The bodycam video of the officers responding to the initial domestic violence incident which sparked the warrant for Cryer’s arrest was shown to dispute the claim made by the OIG that the victim never said she almost lost consciousness. Humphrey said in the video, the victim is clearly heard saying that she nearly did lose consciousness and was strangled for around a minute.

Humphrey said the OIG misunderstood the wording of the charge 4th-degree Assault (Minor). The OIG said they found no evidence of a minor being assaulted, but Humphrey said that’s because minor refers to the degree of injury, not the age of the person assaulted.

The LMPD Chief continued his refute of each charge in the 50-minute-long press conference.

“These officers did nothing wrong,” Humphrey said. “And they can rest assured I will give them a pat on the back for the work they did on that day and the work that I need them to continue doing.”

Humphrey previously and publicly criticized the OIG report and Inspector General Ed Harness. Harness has no authority to order, only request, that LMPD internally investigates.

“I would have preferred a full investigation which requires witness testimony and things like that,” Harness said. “But he did a review, he presented his point of view, and we can agree to disagree and move on. This is the process.”

The city created the OIG in 2021 to provide citizen oversight of LMPD. Since then, Inspector General Ed Harness said he has submitted 27 investigations and seven policy recommendations to LMPD. He said this is the first time LMPD responded.

Previous coverage

• Family still looking for answers nearly 1 year after Omari Cryer was shot, killed by US Marshal
• Omari Cryer’s family asks for transparency from law enforcement
• Public safety professional reacts to bodycam video of deadly shooting involving US Marshal
• Bodycam video of deadly shooting involving US Marshal released by LMPD
• Friends, family seek answers on Omari Cryer’s death by U.S. Marshal task force
• U.S. Marshals operation led to west Louisville officer-involved shooting; victim identified