LMPD officers and Kentucky National Guard troops were in Louisville's West End enforcing a curfew amid the protests. Louisville Police Department names first Black woman as full-time chief We all understood that it was ultimately the mayors decision and we were providing our input and advice to him. But she also holds them accountable that I've seen as well.". Louisville mayor-elect Greenberg names interim police chief - Spectrum News My team and I are dedicated to building trust between LMPD and the people of this city through community policing, transparency and accountability. That court-monitored agreement will aim to reform a department . The report said the Louisville police department "discriminates against Black people in its enforcement activities," uses excessive force and conducts searches based on invalid warrants. The chief of police is hired by the city manager, and will oversee daily operations and administration of the Louisville department. Join our e-mail list to receive LEO exclusives and special offers on tickets and giveaways. 89.3 WFPL News | 90.5 WUOL Classical It also said the department violates the rights of people engaged in protected speech, like the street protests in the city in the summer of 2020 after Taylors death. April 26, 2021: The Department of Justice announces a wide-ranging investigation into LMPD. Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel currently serves as the Interim Chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD). We'll put your gift to work providing news and music for our diverse community. It would follow a Department of Justice report that found LMPD and city government engage in a pattern and practice of violating federal law and the Constitution. Copyright 2023 WAVE. Since 2020, the city has seen record breaking numbers of homicides and nonfatal shootings. Greenberg said helping to implement the terms of that consent decree in the department will likely be one of her key responsibilities, along with efforts to fight gun violence, work with the community and improve LMPD's culture and staffing with more than 250 open positions. '", She said it was her "calling to serve and protect those who cannot take care of themselves and who need my service.". Louisville's new permanent police chief is Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel Some community leaders and transparency advocates said the secrecy prevented the public from independently evaluating the police chief candidates and holding elected officials accountable to making the right choice. "I think now that the question is resolved, it allows a level of certainty that allows the department and community to move forward.". 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The new police chief in Louisville, Ky., will be the first Black woman to lead the embattled department full-time, bringing fresh hope to a force. 2:19 It's been a week since the Louisville Metro Police department got a new chief. He left D.C. in 1998 to become chief of police at the Greensboro, North Carolina Police Department. He plans to work with a third-party consultant to conduct a nationwide search for a new head cop. "I want to acknowledge you (Greenberg) for taking a leap of faith on this individual - me - that came here that you knew nothing about, but you took a leap of faith to allow me to lead, and you saw my leadership abilities, and you said, 'Go forth, Jackie. The U.S. Department of Justice has been investigating LMPD and city government for over a year, looking for a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing. That incident, which took place because the partygoers were assembling after a citywide curfew implemented by Fischer because of mass protests downtown, resulted in the killing of David Yaya McAtee by National Guard members. Dec. 9, 2022: Greenberg appoints then-Deputy Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel to be interim police chief. Follow us onFacebook,TwitterandInstagram. What challenges lie ahead for the new Louisville police chief? Mayor-Elect Craig Greenberg Names New Interim Louisville Police Chief Shields had recently resigned from the Atlanta Police Department, following the controversial killing by police of Rayshard Brooks, a Black motorist who fell asleep in his car in a fast food drive-through. Updated: 11:09 PM EDT Jul 20, 2023 Randall Kamm Reporter Show Transcript LOUISVILLE, Ky. Mayor Craig Greenberg appointed Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel interim chief of Louisville Metro Police. LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville's new police chief will be the first Black woman to lead the embattled department full-time, bringing fresh hope to a force under a federal consent decree after years of scrutiny following the police shooting of Breonna Taylor in 2020. The two worked together in Atlanta, even working as partners in undercover operations in the early 2000s. Louisvilles next police chief will, again, inherit a department facing severe challenges. White graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. Staff Directory Louisville Metro PD, KY CivicEngage LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel was named Louisville's permanent police chief Thursday by Mayor Craig Greenberg, removing the interim tag she held since the start of the year. 91.9 WFPK Music | KyCIR Investigations, PublishedNovember 21, 2022 at 6:37 PM EST, Roberto Roldan is the City Politics and Government Reporter for WFPL. Scott Recker was a previous editor at LEO. 3:56. Louisville, Kentucky names first Black woman police chief The reception will allow the public to meet the finalists and ask questions in an informal setting. Gress is the current assistant chief of police at the Breckenridge Police Department and was previously the criminal investigator for the 5th Judicial District Attorneys Office in Breckenridge and served as the lieutenant of operations for the Ypsilanti Police Department in Ypsilanti, Mich. Gress graduated from the FBI National Academy. Gwinn-Villaroel came to Louisville from the Atlanta Police Department in 2021 alongside former Chief Erika Shields, who hired her as a deputy chief. Colorado FOP Calls on Denver Mayor for Resignation or Removal of Director of Public Safety & Chief of Police! The mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, appointed a new interim police chief Monday, naming Yvette Gentry, a Black woman, to the role. Who is Louisville police chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel? - Courier-Journal You can help make the next story possible with a donation of $10 or $20. Joseph Gerth can be reached at 502-582-4702 or by email at jgerth@courierjournal.com. Get the latest news right in your inbox at 6 a.m. "The Chief and I are very focused on improving trust between the African American community and LMPD," Greenberg said in response to questions emailed to him. March 8, 2023: The DOJ releases a 90-page report on LMPD, finding that the force has engaged in unconstitutional policing, discriminates against Black people and uses excessive force. [3], The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) conducted the national search that led to White's hiring from the Louisville police department by Hancock. I want this department to flourish and to thrive.. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Louisville's new police chief will be the first Black woman to lead the embattled department full-time, bringing fresh hope to a force . Greenberg said he expects the next police chief to be someone who is respected by the community, as well as the rank-and-file police officers. What You Need To Know Gwinn-Villaroel will take over as interim chief starting Jan. 2, 2023, in place of Chief Erika Shields [8], Chief White directed temporary alterations to the Denver Police Academy, and the use of uniformed Denver police officers, to accommodate White House efforts to enhance an address by President Obama to support gun control (attracting national attention because of pushback from some police officers). 1st Black woman named to full-time role as police chief of embattled [4], During the national search, White was vetted by both PERF and Hancock concerning controversies to include a drug test that came back positive for marijuana,[5][6][7] and intervening at the scene of a traffic stop when his 21-year-old son was being detained for suspected drunk driving. I dont like how theyve gone about this. The board members were J. Michael Brown, State Rep. Keturah Herron, Rebecca Grignon Reker, Councilwoman Paula McCraney, Rev. Louisville police chief finalists announced - Boulder Daily Camera Mayor-elect Craig Greenberg announced on Thursday that Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel outgoing chief Erika Shields' hand-selected second-in-command will lead the embattled department as interim chief of police starting in early January. Harness said the Greenberg administration has been more helpful than the previous mayor, Fischer. My goal is to keep the department focused and to serve the city of Louisville with the highest standards, she said. [9], Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper had recently signed three legislative house bills limiting ammunition magazines, expanding background checks, and charging gun buyers a fee for background checks. He also graduated from FBI National Academy in 2022. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Thursday that interim Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel will continue to lead the department, making her the first Black woman to serve. All material 2023 LEO Weekly, Louisville, KY. All rights reserved. The Louisville Metro Police Department has been headed by Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel since January 2, 2023. Ryan Nichols, president of the River City Fraternal Order of Police the union representing LMPD officers said his organization was pleased with the mayors decision. critics said Fischers choice was tone deaf. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? I want us to be working hard every day to implement the reforms and improvements needed to comply with the consent decree and to serve our city, he said. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 20, 2023) - After a monthslong, nationwide search, Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Thursday he has chosen Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel as Louisville's Chief of Police. The fact is, a Black chief was needed then particularly one like White, who understood the problem and believed it was his duty to reach out to the African American community to fix what was wrong. Reporting on this story was referred to some in the media as "Cops as Props. Thinking about building a composite deck? She said Thursday her immediate priorities include tackling violent crime and setting clear guidelines for how policing should be done in Louisville. Email Jacob at, Amina Elahi is LPM's City Editor. Durbin will extend a formal job offer after the interviews take place on April 21, with the new chief being announced at a later date. We also provide state of the art training, instruction and education in the most current law enforcement related State and . in Public Administration from the University of the District of Columbia in 1993. The city and DOJ say they have agreed in principle to negotiate a consent decree. Gentry will replace Robert Schroeder, who is retiring, Mayor. Our Association serves over 350 municipal police departments across the State of Louisiana. This is a challenging job, Greenberg said at a news conference Thursday. Louisville mayor names new police chief | whas11.com Timeline: Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel named Louisville police chief. The decree, a federal court-approved settlement, would mandate steps to be taken by the department to improve. [14][15] The controversy eventually led to a special recall election, the first in Colorado's history, to vote out two Colorado Democrats (Angela Giron of Pueblo and John Morse of Colorado Springs) because of their support for this gun law package. Louisville Metro Police Department Interim Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, along with other city and federal officials, discuss the civil rights investigation at a press conference on. "[19][20], On the same day President Obama was scheduled to give his address at the Denver Police Academy, where Denver police officers would be in uniform as a backdrop, sixteen Colorado sheriffs planned a news conference in a nearby park. There had been a series of police chiefs in a short period of time and there was an unimaginable level of distrust between the Black community, which had long said it was the the victim of biased policing and brutality, and the police department. Louisville residents who wish to attend the community. In the next years, there were fewer civilian deaths. Louisiana Chiefs Association of Police We taught each other; we were yin and yang, said Gwinn-Villaroel told Louisville Magazine in 2021.