A Louisville Metro Police officer who failed to activate his body-worn camera during the high-profile arrest of PGA golfer Scottie Scheffler has been arrested on theft and misconduct charges. Officer Javar Downs was taken into custody on Friday morning, marking a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).
Downs, who has been placed on emergency suspension with limited police powers, now faces charges of theft by unlawfully taking more than $1,000 and official misconduct. The charges come as LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey initiates the process of terminating Downs’ employment. Angela Ingram, the LMPD communications director, confirmed these developments in a statement, emphasizing the department’s commitment to accountability.
“Allegations of officer malfeasance are taken very seriously. LMPD prioritizes accountability and remains committed to conducting thorough and expedient investigations in the best interests of all parties involved,” Ingram wrote in an email to the media.
The investigation into Downs was triggered by a civilian complaint alleging theft. The complainant, whose identity remains undisclosed, was arrested by Downs on Wednesday. This incident led to an internal investigation by LMPD’s Public Integrity Unit, which is now examining the extent of Downs’ misconduct.
Officer Downs, a member of LMPD’s Traffic Unit, was notably present during Scottie Scheffler’s arrest in May. In a subsequent report, Downs admitted that he had failed to activate his body-worn camera during the arrest, a violation of LMPD policy. According to the report, the missing footage would have captured critical moments, including Scheffler being removed from his vehicle and taken into custody.
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LMPD policy mandates that officers activate their body cameras “prior to engaging in all law enforcement activities and encounters,” with exceptions only allowed if the camera is “docked for uploading following a tour of duty.” Despite this clear requirement, Downs and another officer, Watkins, were criticized by most LMPD supervisors for failing to follow protocol. However, Downs’ immediate supervisor, Robert Ward, defended his actions, stating that the “rapidly deteriorating situation” left little time to activate the camera as he focused on providing immediate assistance.
Scottie Scheffler was arrested on May 17 and faced charges of second-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic. However, these charges were dropped less than two weeks later, raising further questions about the handling of the case.
As the internal investigation continues, the case against Officer Downs highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability within the LMPD, particularly in high-profile incidents. The situation remains under close scrutiny as the department navigates the fallout from these serious allegations.
