Black Lives Matter: What happened to Kentucky cop Brett Hankison after Breonna Taylor shooting in 2020?
Brett Hankison had a troubled record with the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) since he joined in 2003. He didn't come with a stellar reputation and wasn't recommended by his senior from his previous job. Yet, he served on the force until June 2020, three months after the controversial shooting of Breonna Taylor. Now, he faces a series of legal challenges, including being accused of sexual harassment.
Hankison is the only cop to be fired for his actions that night when Taylor was shot eight times. Yet, he faces legal challenges for 'wanton endangerment', putting Taylor's neighbors at risk. For shooting Taylor? It appears that consequences are less severe. Officers Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove face no consequences either, despite their roles that night.
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What has happened to Hankison since? We explore how the cop went from being a contraversial traffic cop, to being one of the most hated cops in the country and what the future holds for him.
Hankison's worrying past
Based on Hankison's files released by the LMPD and those obtained from the Lexington Police Department (LPD), Hankison has a worrying past. Between 1999 and 2002, he served in Lexington. His file, obtained by the Lexington Herald-Leader in 2020 shows multiple letters of thanks from citizens. However, it also contains a 20-hour unpaid suspension for “dereliction of duty”.
Hankison's sergeant at the time Patrick McBride wrote a memo recommending that he not be hired. According to the Herald-Leader, McBride wrote "I would not recommend him for reemployment at any time in the future. Due to his actions in violation of standing orders, refusal to accept supervision, and general poor attitude toward the Division of Police and its commanding staff, I would in fact be strongly against the same.” That view was shared by Barry Cecil, a captain with the LPD at the time.
Despite those warning signs, Hankison was hired by the LMPD in 2003. His files were released by the department following the shooting of Taylor and continue to reveal his worrying attitude. Hankison was investigated by the department's Professional Standards Unit at least three times, with three of them being "sustained" in 2010. That includes failing to notify a superior about third-degree assault and resisting arrest charges filed against someone.
In October 2019, Kendrick Wilson filed a suit against Hankison in federal court, claiming that he was harassing suspects with unnecessary arrests and planting drugs on them. Following his firing, he has also been accused of sexual harassment by two women while on duty with the LMPD. In June 2020, the department cleared Hankison of sexual misconduct, but one of the women, Margo Borders, filed a lawsuit in November 2020.
Together, these facts paint a worrying picture of an individual not fit for service. With mounting pressure after the shooting of Taylor, Hankison was fired in June 2020.
What happened to Hankison after?
On June 19, Hanikson was handed a termination letter by the LMPD. According to the letter, he was being fired for creating a “substantial danger of death and serious injury” to Taylor and her neighbors. Hankison appealed the termination with his lawyer asking for it to be withheld "until the resolution of criminal proceedings", but it seems like the department has upheld its verdict. In September, a grand jury indicted him on three counts of wanton endangerment. If convicted, each count could lead to a five year prison sentence. He pleaded not guilty.
In February 2021, he requested a change of location for the trial. His attorney argued that the prospective jury pool in Jefferson County will be "irreparably prejudiced and biased" to the extent that it "will be difficult or impossible" to get a fair and impartial trial. The location will be decided on March 25 with the trial set for August 31, 2021. Along with this trial, Hankison also faces a federal lawsuit from Wilson. Wilson is suing for an excess of $15,000. The case is pending before the court. Then there is also the suit by Borders, which is also pending before Jefferson County Circuit Court. The Department of Justice is also investigating the case, but so far nothing has been announced in that regard.
In the meantime, Hankison appears to have gone underground. The former officer has not been seen or heard from since an image from his vacation to Florida went viral in July. The image was shared on what appears to be a friend's Instagram account, which has since been taken down. Otherwise, it appears he is maintaining a low profile with the multiple pending court cases. The next time we will see him will probably be when his hearing starts in August.
Even if Hankison is convicted, it is a long step from justice for Taylor. He is the only officer of the three to face criminal charges. Taylor's mother Tamika Palmer told CBS, "I can't believe it's a year later and we're still just asking people to do the right thing. Not to say all officers are bad, but there's no accountability." Will there be accountablity? Only time will tell.