Former Louisville police officer Myles Cosgrove, responsible for the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor in 2020, has obtained a new job at a sheriff’s office near Louisville, Kentucky. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the hiring, stating that Cosgrove passed a background check and was not charged with a crime in relation to Taylor’s death. This development has sparked outrage and frustration among advocates for police accountability, highlighting concerns about the protection and lack of accountability for officers involved in such cases.

Cosgrove was one of three officers who discharged their weapons during the botched drug raid at Taylor’s home. The raid resulted in Taylor’s tragic death and triggered nationwide protests. While Taylor’s family continues to grieve her loss, the officers involved are moving forward with their lives, further fueling criticism of the justice system.

The Louisville Metro Police Department fired Cosgrove in January 2021 due to his failure to properly identify a target and failure to use his body camera during the incident. Three other officers involved in the raid were also terminated by the department.

The investigation led by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron concluded that it was Cosgrove’s bullet that took Taylor’s life. However, Cosgrove was not charged, as Cameron deemed his actions justified in response to Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, firing a weapon first.

While Officer Brett Hankison faced charges for endangering Taylor’s neighbors through reckless shooting, Cosgrove was not prosecuted by federal authorities. They argued that he was not involved in obtaining the inaccurate search warrant and therefore did not hold responsibility. These decisions have drawn widespread criticism and raised concerns about the lack of accountability for officers involved in fatal incidents.

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office justified hiring Cosgrove by pointing out the absence of criminal charges against him and highlighting his two decades of police experience. They expressed optimism that his presence would contribute to reducing drug-related issues and property crimes in their jurisdiction. However, police accountability activists are planning protests in response to this decision.

John Mattingly, another officer involved in the raid who retired from the Louisville police department, defended Cosgrove's return to policing on social media. Mattingly criticized protesters, accusing them of spreading lies and misinformation. His actions and remarks have further fueled tensions and deepened the divide surrounding the case.

As the controversy surrounding Cosgrove’s new job continues to unfold, the lack of accountability and the contrasting perspectives on police actions highlight the ongoing need for police reform and the pursuit of justice in cases of police violence.

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