LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Craig Greenberg has appointed Paul Humphrey to serve as permanent police chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).
Humphrey has been serving as the interim chief since June after the former chief, Jacqueline Gwinn-Villaroel was suspended and later resigned. He has been with the department for 18 years.
"He's a straight shooter, he listens to others, he's willing to make difficult decisions, and he's earned the respect of our officers, our community and me," Greenberg said. "What I've seen is that Paul Humphrey is tough and fair, thoughtful and decisive. He understands what good police work requires and demands of our officers so he does everything that he can to support them. At the same time, Paul stresses accountability for his officers, his command staff and himself."
Humphrey will be sworn-in on Sept. 27 at the Kentucky International Convention Center. The new chief said that ceremony will also feature 16 additional promotions within the department's command staff.
"This is about putting [people] in the right places," Humphrey said regarding the command staff's shakeup.
Looming federal oversight
LMPD has dealt with significant turnover in its top job over the last four years, with Humphrey being the sixth chief in just four years.
Gwinn-Villaroel, who Greenberg asked to resign amid an investigation into her handling of sexual misconduct allegations, lasted just 11 months on the job full-time.
Unlike with Gwinn-Villaroel's appointment, there was no national search for a police chief.
Kentucky State Representative Keturah Herron, a Democrat who was on Greenberg's advisory committee for the last search, believes Humphrey has an edge because of Louisville's future under U.S. Department of Justice oversight.
The city has been in negotiations with the DOJ on a federal consent decree since February, city officials believe a final draft could be sent off for a federal judge's approval before Thanksgiving.
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