LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Metro Police Department is short hundreds of officers, but interim Police Chief Paul Humphrey has big plans to attract more recruits.
In August, LMPD swore in nine new recruits in their smallest graduation class ever. The department is currently hiring, but they are also looking to try new approaches to get more officers through the academy on the streets.
“Very proud of those recruits and excited to get them out on the streets," Humphrey said during a Wednesday news conference. "[But] nine is not enough."
He said the department has seen and increase in applicants, but the number doesn't mean all who apply are qualified.
“Just because we’ve seen an increase in applicants doesn’t mean we are going to take people who are not qualified to do this job," Humphrey said. "I would rather have nine outstanding recruits hitting the streets than double or triple that if they are of questionable character.”
The department's standards are high and Humphrey says the process -- from background checks, drug tests, fitness tests and more -- is quite rigorous.
Many people who apply simply won't make it through the academy.
According to data from previous news releases LMPD has sent to WHAS11 regarding previous graduation numbers, here is the class size breakdown in recent years:
DATE: CLASS SIZE:
8/30/24 9
4/17/24 17
12/15/23 20
12/9/22 26
8/12/22 20
5/27/22 18
9/29/21 16
2/12/21 28
9/13/19 41
12/21/18 32
8/10/18 35
3/21/18 30
Today the department is about 300 officers short. But the department is hoping to get new recruits in places they don't typically visit.
“I’ll tell you right now, Josh Heird, you better be on the lookout because I’m coming to get your people,” Humphrey said.
He said he wants LMPD to recruit at every local college athletic department, including the University of Louisville.
“Think about it. You got people who understand how to work as a team, they get hard work, we know that they can be dedicated to a process, they take coaching and learning," Humphrey said. "What more do you need out of people? And they’re physically fit and college educated."
He said many people might not know being an officer would be a good job for them and it's important to let people know of all the opportunities available at the LMPD.
Humphrey said the department has also seen lots of rehires of retired officers who loved working at LMPD and want to return, and officers who were previously with the department who left to go to another and have also returned.
“When you look at the region there’s not a department that has more opportunity than LMPD,” Humphrey said.
He said the department is paying a competitive wage and people who come in have the opportunity to make around $70,000 a year to start.
However times have changed since Humphrey was a young officer and he said recruiters have to think of themselves differently.
“We have to treat ourselves more like college recruiters. This is a little bit of a generational thing. People want to be told that they’re wanted, young people," Humphrey said. "That’s not the way that it was for us. It was, ‘I don’t think you’re good enough for this job. You better prove it.’ But now we need to go out and act like college recruiters and say, ‘Hey have you thought about this? I think you might be good at this.'"
He said someone gave him the encouragement to do something new when he first became an officer and now it's time they encourage others in the same way.
Humphrey said the biggest and best recruiters are their current employees.
“We can’t control the external environment. All of the noise we’ve heard over the past four years plus about the profession and the department has absolutely crushed us," he said. "But what are we doing internally to make sure that those people that are here are proud to work here?"
He wants current officers and staff to feel like they are supported by command staff and know when they do something good, they’ll be recognized for it and when they make a mistake they won't be thrown under the bus.
Humphrey says good leadership makes sure employees are supported and it makes employees want to give their best to the job and be more proactive at it.
“When those people are happy and they feel good, they’re going to go to their friends and say, 'Hey come join this job. This is a good place to work,'" Humphrey said.
He said people fear change but they also hate the way things are and he's passionate about moving the department forward with new ideas.
If you are looking for a job with the LMPD you can go to their website.
