Louisville’s ‘Slushygate’: Elite drug task force members caught on film, faces consequences

In a shocking revelation, two police officers from an elite drug task force in Louisville, Kentucky, have been incarcerated after a video surfaced showing them callously throwing slushies at unsuspecting members of the public. The disturbing footage, recorded between 2018 and 2019, has since been referred to as ‘Slushygate.’

The implicated officers, identified as Curtis Flynn, 40, and Bryan Wilson, 36, were part of an esteemed drug task force in the city. The video depicts uniformed officers hurling icy drinks at pedestrians from an unmarked car window before swiftly driving away. The Freedom of Information request by the Courier Journal Newspaper brought the footage to light.

The recorded incidents included not only the demeaning act of throwing slushies but also instances where victims were knocked to the ground. Flynn and Wilson, seen in the video, have both pleaded guilty to their actions. Flynn received a three-month jail sentence, while Wilson was sentenced to 30 months.

Five other officers have faced temporary suspensions for their involvement in the assaults. A significant revelation from the investigation highlights that 18 of the geolocated assaults occurred in historically disadvantaged areas of the city, emphasizing a disturbing pattern. The incidents have sparked discussions about the lack of accountability within specialized task forces, raising concerns about their overall conduct.

The Louisville Metro Police Deputy Chief, Steve Healey, acknowledged the negative reputation of such units and their lack of transparency. Concerns were raised about the disrespectful nature of the assaults and their reflection of contempt for the community. Detective Joseph Howell, among the suspended officers, expressed initial disbelief, considering it as “dumb prank stuff” typical of specialty units.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg condemned the incidents, emphasizing the need to improve the culture of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD). Both Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel and Mayor Greenberg asserted that such actions would not be tolerated as they strive to build a police force that the community trusts and respects.

In a statement, the LMPD acknowledged the upsetting nature of the videos, labeling the incidents as a painful part of the department’s history.

The fallout from ‘Slushygate’ serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies.