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LMPD hosts a 'Meet the Beat Cop' night, looks to extend community policing efforts

"And so now, we're just turning a corner as to what LMPD can do better to actually build a better relationship with the community."

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — While you hear the term "community policing" a lot, Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) went out of their way to show it Thursday, inside Beuchel Park Baptist Church, in southeast Jefferson County.

With a federal consent decree looming, the department moved ahead with efforts to bridge the divide in the community, hosting a "Meet the Beat Cop" event.

"We want to be partners with LMPD. We think they can help us, but we know that we can also help them," community member Carletta Bell said.

 LMPD Chief of Police Jacquelynn Gwinn-Villaroel said the event is long overdue.

"It's building those relationships prior to a crisis occurring," Gwinn-Villaroel said. "And so now, we're just turning a corner as to what LMPD can do better to actually build a better relationship with the community."

For some people, it's a welcomed opportunity, but also simply a first step.

"It's much needed for community policing," community member Wanda Carson said. "Right now, we really don't have a feel, exactly, because this is the first one. But we're definitely looking forward to being involved in others."

Gwinn-Villaroel said, in time, LMPD plans to host these same events across all department divisions.

It's part of a multi-pronged plan for LMPD to once again engage in community policing.

"My goal is how can Louisville do it better? How can Louisville turn the corner on some of the relationships that have been broken," Gwinn-Villaroel said. "We are ready and we want to build this community trust."

Other initiatives already underway include an increased number citizen's police academies and the "GREAT" program, which deals with teaching young children ages 8 to 14 about gang resistance, Gwinn-Villaroel said.

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