>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "INSIDE LOUISVILLE" -- WHERE WE INTRODUCE YOU TO THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS THAT MAKE UP KENTUCKY'S LARGEST CITY.

I'M YOUR HOST, KELSEY STARKS.

THIS WEEK MEET LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE CHIEF JACQUELYN GWINN-VILLAROEL.

>> IT MOOSE I RESPONSIBILITY AS YOUR POLICE CHIEF TO ENSURE OUR LMPD IS DOING EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

>> YOU HAVE LIKELY SEEN A LOT OF POLICE CHIEF JACQUELYN GWINN-VILLAROEL IN THIS ROLE IN COMMAND OF THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SHE WAS NAMED CHIEF OF LMPD IN 2023 AFTER SERVING SIX MONTHS IN AN INTERIM ROLE.

SHE IS THE FIRST PERMANENT BLACK FEMALE CHIEF OF POLICE IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.

CHIEF JACQUELYN GWINN-VILLAROEL BEGAN HER CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH THE ATLANTA POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 1997 WHEN SHE WAS ASSISTANT COMMANDER OF THE MAJOR CRIMES DIVISION OVERSEEING HOMICIDE, SPECIAL VICTIMS AND CRIMESTOPPERS UNIT AMONG OTHERS.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS MUCH TO TALK ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO HER PROFESSIONAL LIFE, SHE IS ALSO A WIFE, A MOTHER AND AN ORDAINED PASTOR.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO AND WE ARE ALREADY IN MOTION.

HE HAS BROUGHT US FROM A MIGHTY LONG WAY.

AMEN?

>> WELCOME CHIEF JACQUELYN GWINN-VILLAROEL, WE JUST SAW A CLIP OF YOU AT THE PULPIT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW OF YOUR PAST AS A PASTOR.

HOW HAS THAT FAITH AND INFLUENCED YOU PROFESSIONALLY?

>>.ORG TO-- EVERYTHING TO ME.

MY FAITH IS MY FOUNDATION.

PASTORING FOR MANY YEARS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO MINISTERING TO THE PEOPLE, BUT MY FAITH HAS ALLOWED ME TO SEE HUMAN BEINGS AS TRULY HUMAN BEINGS AND SEE PAST SOME OF THE HURT, THE PAIN AND JUST TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE AND THAT GIVES ME SUCH GRATIFICATION.

AND WHAT CAN I DO FOR THEM?

HOW CAN I EMPOWER THEM, GIVE THEM ENERGY TO STAY IN THE FIGHT AND JUST TO KEEP DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO DO AS THE PERSON WHO THEY ARE?

SO AGAIN MY FAITH IS EVERYTHING.

IT KEEPS ME GROUNDED.

>> LET'S START WITH THE PRONUNCIATION OF YOUR NAME.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW.

YOU DID IT WELL.

BUT THAT'S YOUR HUSBAND'S NAME.

AND SO YOU GREW UP JACKIE GWINN.

TELL US ABOUT JACKIE GWINN GROWING UP.

IS THAT COMPASSION, THAT SOMETHING THAT WAS ALWAYS IN YOU FROM A YOUNG AGE?

>> IT WAS, BECAUSE AT THE AGE OF 5, PEOPLE WOULD LAF ABOUT THIS, I WAS WATCHING THE LONE RANGER OUT THERE SERVING AND HELPING OTHERS.

I WANTED TO DO THAT.

AT 5 I WANT TO DO THAT.

I KNEW THEN THAT I WANTED TO BE A POLICE OFFICER.

SO WHEN YOU HEAR YOUNG PEOPLE SAY I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR OR I WANT TO BE OR I WANT TO BE A TEACHER AT THE EARLY AGES OF 4 AND 5, IT IS TRUE.

BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE FEEL AND WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT OUR CALLING IN AT A YOUNG AGE AND I KNEW THAT MANY.

I GREW UP WITH A RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND AND THAT'S OKAY.

HAD NO BEARING WHETHER I SHOULD BE A POLICE OFFICER OR NOT.

BUT AGAIN GOING INTO A WORLD THAT IS MALE DOMINANT, RIGHT, AND ENTERING INTO THAT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, WOW!

THAT'S A LOT.

AND NOBODY IN MY FAMILY EVER WAS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO I WAS THE FIRST.

AND SO TO EMBRACE ALL OF THAT, IT WAS A LOT AND I HAD TO WRESTLE WITH THAT.

CAN I DO THAT?

WOULD MY FAMILY EMBRACE ME IN DOING THIS?

AND I DETOURED A LITTLE BIT.

I'M GOING TO BE A PHYSICAL THERAPIST.

I'M FOAG-- I'M GOING TO DO THAT.

THEN I DECIDED ONE DAY, NO, I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO DO AND I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR JACKIE.

>> YOU ARE ONE OF SIX KIDS?

>> I AM?

>> ALL BROTHERS?

>> THREE BROTHERS AND TWO SISTERS.

LARGE FAMILY.

>> LARGE FAMILY.

SO YOU CAME FROM SORT OF A MALE DOMINATED FAMILY.

>> YES, RIGHT.

>> A LOT OF BIG BROTHERS.

SO NOBODY IN YOUR FAMILY WAS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WHAT REALLY, BESIDE THE LONE RANGER, BUT WHAT WAS THAT LIKE WHEN IN YOUR ADULT LIFE DID YOU DECIDE THAT THIS WAS YOUR CALLING?

I SAW THAT THERE WERE OTHERS THAT COULD NOT HELP THEMSELVES.

AND I WANTED TO BE A PART OF THAT SOLUTION.

TRULY WHEN YOU HEAR INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS MYSELF IN LAW ENFORCEMENT SAY THEY WANT TO PROTECT AND SERVE, THAT IS TRULY TRUE.

IT BECOMES A PASSION.

IT'S NOT A JOB.

YOU KNOW THIS IS YOUR CALLING AND YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS YOUR CAREER.

I KNEW I WANTED TO HELP OTHERS THAT WERE VULNERABLE.

I KNEW COULD I TAKE THE PRESSURE.

I KNEW I COULD MANAGE MY WAY THROUGH.

I WAS MENTALLY STRONG.

I HAD A STRONG FAMILY WHO POURED INTO ME BUT THERE ARE SOME WHO DID NOT HAVE THAT AND I WANTED TO HELP THEM TO BE GREAT.

I WANTED THEM THROUGH THEIR TROUBLES, TO HELP THEM THROUGH THEIR TROUBLES AND THEIR PAIN.

EVEN THROUGH MY YOUNG ADULT LIFE.

I SAID THIS IS WHAT I NEED TO DO AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL GIVE ME THAT PLATFORM TO DO IT AND IT DOES.

>> YOU WERE ALSO A WIFE AND A MOTHER.

>> YES.

>> TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOME LIFE, YOUR FAMILY.

>> MARRIED FOR MANY YEARS.

MY HUSBAND IS A GREAT MAN.

AND HE WAS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AS WELL.

AND I TRULY CAN TELL THE WORLD, I WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF MY HUSBAND.

HE ALLOWED ME, JACKIE, IN ORDER FOR ME TO DO WHAT I NEED TO DO HERE FOR THE GREAT CITIZENS OF LOUISVILLE.

SO I TRULY RESPECT HIM.

NOT ONLY AS MY HUSBAND BUT THE MAN THAT IS IN MY LIFE AND SO I GIVE HIM THAT HONOR BECAUSE HE ALLOWED ME TO DO WHAT I NEED TO DO AND HE SUPPORTS IT TO THIS DAY.

AND HE IS ONE OF MY BIGGEST CHEERLEADERS.

AND SO WE ARE TOGETHER.

WE ARE STRONG.

AND MY SON, THAT IS ONE OF MY PROUDEST MOMENTS, HAVING HIM.

20-YEAR-OLD.

HE IS A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG MAN, ARMY RESERVIST AND ALSO IN COLLEGE AND GETTING HIS SECOND DEGREE SO I'M TRULY PROUD OF HIM.

AND PEOPLE-- SOME PEOPLE KNOW BUT HE STILL CALLS ME MOMMY.

AND I TAKE IT.

[LAUGHTER] >> I BET THAT'S YOUR PROUDEST TITLE.

>> IT IS.

>> YOUR HUSBAND IS STILL IN ATLANTA.

>> YES, HE IS STILL IN ATLANTA.

HE HAS HIS OWN PROJECTS LIKE HE IS DOING.

HE COMES HERE OF COURSE TO SEE ME AND THEN WE GO AND SEE HIM.

BUT IT WORKS FOR US.

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE OH MY GOD, HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY, RIGHT?

AND I WOULDN'T SUGGEST IT FOR EVERYBODY.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A VERY STRONG MARRIAGE AND VERY SOUND IN YOUR POSITION WITH ONE ANOTHER.

BUT IT WORKS FOR US FOR THE TIME BEING AND I CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT.

>> IS LOUISVILLE STARTING TO FEEL LIKE HOME THOUGH?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

I HAVE BEEN EMBRACED BY THE LOUISVILLIANS HERE.

I HAVE BEEN EMBRACED AND I SAID THIS BEFORE.

I WAS EMBRACED BY THE CITIZENS HERE WI FIRST ARRIVED HERE IN 21.

AND SO IT HAS GROWN.

I DID NOT FEEL OUT OF PLACE.

I WAS WELCOMED.

I WAS ABLE TO GRAVITATE TO THE CULTURE HERE AND KNOW THAT IT'S ABOUT THE HIGH SCHOOL YOU WENT TO.

I'M TRYING TO FIND A HIGH SCHOOL THAT WOULD ADOPT ME SO I CAN SAY THAT.

>> EVERYBODY NEEDS AN TEENS THAT QUESTION.

>> SO I CAN SAY THAT.

BUT I'VE LEARNED AND SO I JUST TRULY AM GRATEFUL TO BE HERE AND CALL THIS MY COMMUNITY.

>> YEAH, AND SO DID YOU EVER ENVISION IN YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER-- I KNOW HAVE YOU DONE A LOT-- WAS CHIEF A GOAL FOR YOU?

>> NO, CHIEF WAS NOT A GOAL FOR ME.

I JUST WANTED TO BE THE BEST OFFICER I COULD BE.

IT WASN'T A GOAL AND I TRULY SAY THAT WITH ALL HEART AND HONESTY I.

WAS NOT A GOAL FOR ME.

I WANTED TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE.

I WANTED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.

JUST SO HAPPENED I'VE HAD A SUCCESS SUCCESSFUL CAREER GOING UP THE LADDER BUT IT WASN'T A GOAL.

IT WAS WHERE DO I FIT?

HOW CAN I ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS WHERE I AM?

AND SO, AGAIN, I'VE JUST BEEN BLESSED TO ADORN THIS TITLE CALLED CHIEF.

>> SO WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO LOUISVILLE THEN AFTER SPENDING DECADES IN ATLANTA?

>> SO I WAS TAPPED ON THE SHOULDER IN 2021 TO COME WITH THE PREVIOUS CHIEF AND TO SERVE AS THE DEPUTY CHIEF THAT WAS A BIG UNDERTAKING, A BIG DECISION IS YOU CAN TELL.

LEAVING MY HUSBAND, LEAVING MY SON WHO WAS STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL.

MAKING THAT, TABLING THAT LEAP OF FAITH, TO COME.

BUT WHAT COULD I DO HERE FOR THE CITIZENS OF LOUISVILLE?

HOW COULD I IMPACT THEIR LIFE, MAKE A CHANGE, A DIFFERENCE?

IT WASN'T ABOUT A TITLE BECAUSE I HAD A TITLE.

IT WASN'T ABOUT THAT.

IT WAS ABOUT WHAT CAN JACKIE DO HERE FOR LOUISVILLE?

HOW CAN I BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION, HEALING AND GROWING AND JUST SHOWING GREAT LEADERSHIP.

AND SO WITH CONSULTATION WITH MY HUSBAND AND PRAYER.

I DECIDED TO TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH AND COME HERE.

>> DID YOU SEE IT-- DO YOU THINK YOU MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

I MADE A RIGHT CHOICE FOR NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR MY FAMILY.

MY MOTHER WAS ABLE TO SEE HER DAUGHTER BEFORE SHE PASSED, TO TRULY COME INTO HER OWN IN THE TOP LEADERSHIP REALM AND THAT WAS MORE OF A BLESSING FOR ME, FOR HER TO BE ABLE TO SEE THAT.

SO, YES.

>> DID YOU SEE LOUISVILLE AS A CHALLENGE FOR YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY IT'S A CHALLENGE, AND IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE FOR ANYONE WHEN YOU ARE COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE COMING IN.

AND YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

YOU WANT TO HAVE AN IMPACT, BUT ALSO, TOO, YOU WANT TO RESPECT THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY CURRENTLY HERE, RIGHT?

SO AGAIN IT IS A CHALLENGE AND IT WAS A CHALLENGE.

BUT ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE AND ARE YOU OPEN TO ACTUALLY LISTEN, LEARN AND THEN SEE WHAT CHANGES ARE NEEDED TO BE MADE, BUT MAKE THEM FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.

AND SO, AGAIN, ANYONE COMING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE, COMING INTO AN AGENCY TRULY HAS SOME CHALLENGES AND WILL HAVE SOME CHALLENGES ABOUT HOW YOU NAVIGATE THEM IS WHERE IT'S AT.

>> WE'LL TALK ABOUT THOSE CHALLENGES IN A MINUTE.

BUT FIRST LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU'VE MADE SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN HERE.

ROUNDING OUT YOUR FIRST YEAR HERE.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED HERE IN THAT YEAR?

>> WOW.

WE'VE HAD SOAP, EVEN BEFORE BECOMING INTERIM CHIEF, BUT WHEN I TOOK OVER AS INTERIM CHIEF, WE ARE TACKLING THE VIOLENT CRIME.

WHAT CAN WE DO DIFFERENTLY?

WHAT CAN WE DO DIFFERENT, NOT ONLY DO DIFFERENTLY BUT WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER AND BE CREATIVE.

I CREATED THE NON-FATAL SHOOTING SQUAD AND THAT HAS YIELDED SO MANY DIVIDENDS AS IT STANDS TODAY.

BRINGING THOSE CREATIVE MINDS TOGETHER, INVESTIGATORS FROM ACROSS ALL OF THE EIGHT DIVISIONS, HAVING THAT PERSONNEL COME TOGETHER IN ONE SPACE, WORKING TOGETHER FOR THESE NON-FATAL SHOOTING INCIDENTS THAT WE ARE HAVING AND THEN HAVING GREAT SUPERVISORS OVER THAT UNIT.

IT HAS TRULY SHOWN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

BUT WE NEEDED TO MAKE SURE WE GOT OUT OF SILOS AND AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE THE DEPARTMENT FORWARD-- THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M-- ONE OF MY PROUDEST MOMENTS IS CREATING THAT UNIT.

SO ACTUALLY LOOK AT THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE TARGETING INDIVIDUALS AND WHO ARE PULLING THE TRIGGER AND WHO ARE SHOOTING INDIVIDUALS AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THEY DID NOT DIE, BUT THAT IS TRULY A VICIOUS AND HAVE THE VIOLENT CRIME SO TACK TACKLING THAT IS GREAT.

ANOTHER THING WE HAVE EMBARKED UPON, WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LEADERSHIP, WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?

HOW ARE WE TACKLING LEADERSHIP?

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE GROUND LAST YEAR IS THE FIRST GOLD MERIT COHORT WITH IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE BUSINESS SCHOOL WITH LMPD.

I GAVE THEM SOME IDEAS AND SAID THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO FOR OUR FRONT LINE SUPERVISORS BECAUSE WE ALREADY KNOW THAT MID LEVEL SUPERVISORS, IF THEY'RE NOT STRONG, SOMETIMES THAT WILL SHAKE AN ORGANIZATION, WHETHER PRIVATE OR NOT.

AND SO, AGAIN, WHAT CAN WE DO?

AND SO WITH THAT, WE HAD 26 SERGEANTS THAT WENT THROUGH THE TRAINING BUT NOT ONLY THAT, THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THREE HOURS OF COLLEGE CREDIT.

AND SO SPARKING THAT INTEREST TO GO BACK TO COLLEGE, AGAIN, TO FINISH YOUR DEGREE, IF YOU START IT OR IF YOU HAVE NOT BEGUN, THAT'S GREAT BECAUSE AGAIN, IF YOU ARE GOING TO SAY LEADERSHIP IS KEY, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ACTUALLY HELP PULL THAT LEADERSHIP TOGETHER AND MAKE THEM GREAT?

AND OF COURSE THE WELLNESS CENTER.

>> WELLNESS CENTER.

THE SUMMIT WELLNESS CENTER IS ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN A BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR YOU.

WE HAD A CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE SUMMIT WELLNESS CENTER.

TAKE A LOOK.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> THIS IS A UNIQUE CENTER.

IT'S FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY.

AND FOR US, WE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING MORE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.

>> MENTAL, PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL AND FINANCIAL WELLNESS.

THE LAST THING SOMEONE WANTS WHEN THEY CALL 911 IN THEIR TIME OF NEED IS AN OFFICER RESPONDING WHO IS NOT FOCUSED ON WHAT IS IN FRONT OF THEM.

BEHIND ME YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE WEIGHT EQUIPMENT OUT IN OUR FITNESS CENTER HERE INSIDE THIS LOUNGE IS A RELAXATION SPACE WHERE WE HAVE A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP BOOKS, MINDFULNESS BOOKS.

FULL TIME CHAPLAIN OFFICE.

PEER SUPPORT TEAM AND WELLNESS SERGEANT AND MEDITATION ROOM IN THE BACK OF THE LOUNGE.

HERE WE ARE IN THE SECOND FLOOR OF OUR THREE-STORY WELLNESS FACILITY, THE SUMMIT.

IN THIS FACILITY YOU WILL NOTICE DIFFERENT NAMES ALONG DIFFERENT ROOMS AND WALLS AND ON THE BASKETBALL FLOOR AND THOSE REPRESENT THE NAMES OF PEOPLE THAT CAME FORWARD AND INSTITUTIONS TO HELP MAKE THIS PLACE HAPPEN.

INSIDE THIS SECOND FLOOR, WE DO A LOT OF SOCIAL EVENTS AND HEALTHY COMPETITIONS FROM 3 ON 3 BASKETBALL WITHIN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SO UP HERE ON THE THIRD FLOOR IS OUR STRENGTH AND CAN'TING AREA-- CONDITIONING AREA AND MUSCULAR SKELETAL REHABILITATION AREA.

WE HAVE A FULL-TIME STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH ON THE THIRD FLOOR FOR OUR LMPD EMPLOYEES ARE TRYING TO COME BACK FROM AN INJURY AND EMPLOYEES JUST TRYING TO BETTER THEMSELVES AND DEVELOP A 12-WEEK LIFTING OR WORKOUT PROGRAM TO INCREASE THEIR CARDIOVASCULAR STRENGTH AND MUSCULAR SKELETAL STRENGTH TO PREVENT FURTHER INJURY.

LOUISVILLE IS A UNIQUE COMMUNITY, A UNIQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF CHALLENGES BUT FOR US, WE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING THAT HIGHLIGHTS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT BETWEEN OFFICERS AND COMMUNITY.

COMMUNITY AND OFFICERS.

IT CAN'T BE A SPLIT.

I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE PEOPLE WITHIN THE WELLNESS UNIT HERE THAT DEVOTE THEIR TIME AND EFFORT TO MAKING LIVES BETTER FOR ALL LMPD EMPLOYEES.

IT'S AN AMAZING THING.

>> SO THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT FOR YOU BECAUSE MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'VE STRUGGLED WITH IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER?

>> IT'S ONE THAT I'M VERY ACUTELY AWARE THAT ALL OFFICERS FROM TIME TO TIME, WE REALLY ARE STRUGGLING WITH WHAT WE SEE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

>> YEAH.

>> WHO ARE WE TO TALK TO?

CAN WE TALK FREELY TO SOMEBODY?

IS SOMEBODY GOING TO JUDGE US BECAUSE WE ARE STRUGGLING FROM AN INCIDENT WE WITNESSED?

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN OUR LIVES, WHO IS LISTENING ENOUGH TO FIGURE OUT THAT WE NEED SOME HELP BECAUSE MY PERSONAL LIFE IS FALLING APART.

BUT YET I'M STILL MANDATED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BUT MY LIFE IS NOT BEING SERVICED.

THAT IS TRUE FOR THE OFFICERS THAT SERVE LOUISVILLE EVERY DAY.

AND SO WHEN WE DON'T MEET THAT INVESTMENT AND BE CONSCIOUS ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THE OFFICERS, WE ARE DOING A DISSERVICE TO THEM BECAUSE WE SHOULD AFFORD EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A HOLISTIC OFFICER.

WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT?

AS YOU KNOW FROM THE SUMMIT'S FIVE PILLARS WE FOCUS IN ON SOCIAL, MENTAL, SPIRITUAL, FINANCIAL, ALL THE ASPECTS, PHYSICAL.

WE NEED TO ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THAT OUR OFFICERS NEED TO BE HOLISTIC IN EVERY WAY IN ORDER TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

AND A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH MAKING SURE THEY'RE WELL BUT ALSO, TOO, THE INDIVIDUALS CONNECTED TO THEM MOST INTIMATELY ARE GOOD AS WELL.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN A BIG DIFFERENCE?

>> I HAVE.

AND I MUST SAY AND I MUST TELL THE COMMUNITY, LMPD HAS TRULY EMBRACED MENTAL HEALTH ON ANOTHER LEVEL.

OUR OFFICERS ARE MORE OPEN TO UNDERSTAND AND TO HAVE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL WELLNESS, UNLIKE SOME OTHER AGENCIES.

AND WE ARE IN A GOOD SPACE FOR THAT.

BUT ALSO, TOO, WHAT HELPS.

THE TOP DOWN HAS TO BELIEVE IT.

THEY HAVE TO KNOW THAT THE CHIEF SUPPORTS IT.

MY EXECUTIVE TEAM AND MY COMMANDERS MUST BELIEVE IT BECAUSE, AGAIN, WHAT IS HAPPENING FROM THE TOP MUST TRICKLE DOWN THAT WE WANT GREAT OFFICERS.

AND IF YOU ARE NOT WELL, WE WANT YOU TO BE WELL.

BECAUSE I'M ASKING AND WE WANT YOU TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE IN A GOOD SPACE DO THAT.

>> YEAH, BECAUSE YOU KNOW, YOU'RE PEOPLE, TOO.

>> WE ARE PEOPLE.

>> SO THOSE ARE A LOT OF POSITIVE CHANGES, BUT THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO POLICING.

>> YES.

>> POLICING THIS CITY.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU THINK OF RIGHT NOW?

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IS TRULY MAKING THE CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES AND I CAN'T SHY AWAY FROM THAT.

WE ARE DOING BETTER, MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY MORE.

WE ARE WORKING EVERY DAY BUILDING THAT TRUST WITH THE COMMUNITY.

BUT WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO AND SO I WILL NEVER SIT HERE IN FRONT OF YOU AND TO SAY WE ARE HERE.

WE ARE NOT.

WE ARE MAKING STRIDES TO GET THERE.

BUT EVERY DAY I'M CONSCIOUSLY AWARE THAT I MUST DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO BRIDGE THAT GAP, AND TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT BUT ALSO TO UNDERSTAND WE ARE STILL IN A HEALING PHASE.

BUT LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY, BE VERY OPEN WITH THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO, TOO, THE COMMUNITY LISTENING TO US AS WELL AND KNOWING THAT ON BOTH SIDES THERE IS SOME TRAUMA, ON BOTH SIDES THAT WE ARE IN A SPACE WHERE WE ARE STILL GRAPPLING WITH A LOT OF THINGS.

BUT HOW DO WE CONTINUOUSLY MOVE FORWARD.

AND SO ONE OF THE OTHER INITIATIVES THAT I CREATED WAS MEET YOUR BEAT OFFICER LAST YEAR.

ANOTHER LAYER OF COMMUNITY POLICING WHERE WE ARE OPENING THE DOORS FOR THE BEAT OFFICERS TO BE AT A DESIGNATED LOCATE INDICATION AND FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME IN AND LEAST THEM.

A NEW WAY OF COMMUNITY POLICING.

I HAVE TO THINK PROGRESSIVELY.

HOW CAN I MAKE THE CONNECTION WITH THE OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITY AND SO GET INTO A SPACE OF BEING MORE CREATIVE IN THAT AREA AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING AND IT WENT OVER VERY WELL LAST YEAR AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE IT THIS YEAR.

>> ANOTHER CHALLENGE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PRETTY VOCAL ABOUT IS THE GANG PROBLEM.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> IN THIS CITY...

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME LEADERSHIP THAT HAVE SAID THERE IS NO GANG PROBLEM HERE AND YOU CAME IN AND SAID, YEAH, THERE IS.

>> YES, IT IS.

>> TELL ME ABOUT THAT AND HOW YOU ARE TACKLING THAT?

>> TACKLING IT AGGRESSIVELY.

WE ARE TACKLING THAT BY DOING TRULY GREAT CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING.

IDENTIFYING THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN GROUP ACTIVITY THAT IS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY.

AND SO I HAVE GREAT OFFICERS WHO ARE COMMITTED, WHO ARE TRAINED, WHO ARE DEDICATED AND WHO ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY AND DISMANTLE THOSE GROUPS.

AGAIN, WE DO HAVE A GANG PROBLEM HERE AND TO SHY AWAY FROM THAT OR TO TAKE A BLIND EYE TO THAT, IT IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF US AS A WHOLE.

SO WE ARE COMMITTED IN DOING JUST THAT.

YOU WILL SEE NOW THAT AND YOU SHOULD BE SEEING THAT OUR CRIME IS GOING DOWN.

IT'S GOING DOWN SLOWLY.

WE ARE NOT HAPPY BECAUSE WE WILL NEVER CELEBRATE BECAUSE ONE HOMICIDE IS TOO MANY.

ONE SHOOTING IS TOO MANY.

AND, AGAIN, WE NEED TO JUST STAY THE COURSE.

BUT YES, WE HAVE A GANG PROBLEM BUT WE ARE GOING AFTER THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE THE DRIVERS OF CRIME WITHOUT TRAUMATIZING THE COMMUNITY.

AGAIN, WE CAN DO THAT WITHOUT IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY WHERE THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BEING OVER POLICED OR THEY FEEL THEY'RE BECOMING TARGETS OF ONE INDIVIDUAL.

SO AGAIN TECHNOLOGY PLAYS A ROLE IN THAT.

GREAT INVESTIGATIONS TAKE A ROLE IN THAT BUT NOT BEING SUCH-- NOT BEING SO QUICK TO SAY WE ARE GOING AFTER THIS INSTEAD OF MAKING SURE WE HAVE A TRUE, COMPLETE INVESTIGATION ON THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE JUST TRULY COMMITTED IN DOING HARM IN OUR CITY.

>> VIOLENT CRIME, GUN VIOLENCE, A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW, TOO, THAT YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM.

YOUR FAMILY HAS BEEN A VICTIM.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, YES.

>> OF GUN VIOLENCE.

HOW DOES THAT SHAPE HOW YOU APPROACH THE SITUATION?

>> AGAIN, IT JUST BRINGS IT HOME.

UNFORTUNATELY EVEN MORE SO.

BUT I HAVE BEEN COMMITTED PRIOR TO LOSING MY NEPHEW TO GUN VIOLENCE.

IT'S JUST NOW I SIT IN A SEAT OF SO MANY.

SO NOW I CAN LOOK YOU IN YOUR EYE AND SAY I BELIEVE AND TRULY UNDERSTAND.

THE COMMITMENT IS STILL THERE.

SO THAT'S WHY I'M SO ELATED WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, WITH FBI AND A.T.F., WHO ARE TRULY LOCKING STEP WITH US TO HELP ENSURE THAT WE ARE DOING PROPER INVESTIGATIONS, TO BRING CLOSURE TO SOME OF THE FAMILIES.

I AM COMMITTED MORE SO THAN EVER IN THIS YEAR, THAT THE VICTIMS OF HOMICIDE, THEIR VOICES WILL BE HEARD IN COURT.

BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE HAD THAT PERSON WHO COMMITTED THAT CRIME BEING PROSECUTED.

THAT IS MY DRIVE.

THAT IS MY GOAL.

BECAUSE THOSE VOICES NEED TO BE HEARD.

THEY'RE NOT FORGOTTEN.

THEY'RE NOT FORGOTTEN.

AND LMPD IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE COMMUNITY THAT YOUR LOVED ONES ARE NOT FORGOTTEN AND WE WILL DO OUR JOB IN ORDER TO BRING YOU PEACE.

>> THERE IS ALSO BEEN SOME STORIES, SOME LAWSUITS, IN FACT, ABOUT HOW OFFICERS HAD TREATED PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

TALK ABOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE AND HOW YOU TALK TO YOUR OFFICERS ABOUT HOW THEY INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> I'M VERY UP FRONT WITH THEM BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, I BRING IT BACK HOPE.

HOW WE TREAT THE COMMUNITY, YOU SHOULD REMEMBER HOW YOU WANT OTHERS TO TREAT YOUR FAMILY.

AND ALSO, TO BRING IT BACK HOME, THAT WE ARE COMMUNITY.

SO AGAIN, YOUR ACTIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND IF WE WANT TO BE AN AGENCY THAT WE ARE THRIVING AND HOPING THAT EVERYBODY FEELS THAT, WE ARE A RESPECTABLE AGENCY AND THAT WE WANT OTHERS TO BE PROUD OF US, WE MUST CONTINUE TO BE CONSCIOUS AND DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY.

AND YOU ARE SEEING THAT.

YOU ARE SEEING THAT.

AND IF WE HAVE INFRACTIONS, WE'LL DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO.

BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE COMMUNITY IS WATCHING AND THEY'RE RESTING US TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MAKING SOUND DECISIONS BUT AGAIN IT COMES WITH ME.

HOW YOU INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITY MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

AND YOUR BEHAVIOR IS INDICATIVE OF HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT US.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING THINGS THE RIGHT WAY.

>> WHAT DO YOU SEE OR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF LMPD AND THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY?

OUR CITY IN GENERAL?

>> I'M HOPING WITH LMPD THAT WE WILL BE THE MODEL AGENCY FOR THE NATION; THAT OTHER DEPARTMENTS, OTHER LEADERS WANT TO COME HERE TO LOUISVILLE AND SEE WAS WE ARE DOING.

I NEED FOR THEM TO PEEK INSIDE OUR HOUSE AND SAY I SEE IT AND I WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT.

AND I WANT TO IMPLEMENT THAT WHERE I AM.

I KNOW WE CAN DO THAT.

AND WE HAVE BEEN IN THE NATIONAL NEWS FOR GREAT WORK.

AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

BUT THAT'S WHAT I WANT.

I WANT US TO BE AN AGENCY THAT OTHERS SAY THAT IS HOW YOU POLICE.

THIS IS HOW THE POLICE AGENCIES SHOULD INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITY.

I FORESEE US AS LMPD HAVING A STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND RELATIONSHIP THAT NOT ONLY DO I SEE LMPD AT THE MIC, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS THAT THERE ARE WITH US AND WE ARE UNITED BECAUSE WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE AND WE WANT TO MOVE THIS CITY FORWARD.

THAT'S WHAT I SEE.

AND FOR THE CITY AS A WHOLE, I WANT US TO BE ONE OF THOSE CITIES THAT PEOPLE WANT TO COME HERE, NOT ONLY TO VISIT US, BUT I WANT PEOPLE TO COME HERE TO RETIRE HERE.

THAT'S WAY WANT.

BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO COME AND WANT TO RETIRE HERE BECAUSE OUR CRIME IS LOW, THEY HAVE ACTIVITIES.

THEY SEE A POLICE AGENCY THAT IS INTERACTING.

WE ARE TRULY A PART OF THE SYSTEM IN MAKING SURE THAT LOUISVILLE IS A PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO COME AND THEY MAY COME VISIT FOR A MINUTE BUT WOULD HATE TO LEAVE, RIGHT?

THAT'S WHAT I FORESEE FOR OUR CITY AND I KNOW THAT WE CAN GET THERE.

>> WHAT ABOUT YOUR FUTURE HERE?

WILL YOU HATE TO LEAVE?

ARE YOU GOING TO BE HERE A LONG TIME?

>> I PLAN ON IT, YOU KNOW, BUT ALSO, TOO, I SAY THIS.

I WORK AT THE DISCRETION OF THE MAYOR.

AND IT'S NOT ABOUT JACKIE.

WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AND HE WAS SEARCHING FOR A CHIEF, I SAID IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

HE NEEDS TO FIND AND PICK THE RIGHT PERSON.

IT'S NOT ABOUT EGO FOR ME.

IT'S NOT ABOUT TITLE.

WHO IS THE RIGHT PERSON?

IF I CANNOT DO MY JOB FULLY OR IF THERE IS A DISCONNECT, THEN HE HAS TO MAKE THAT DECISION BECAUSE HE NEEDS TO ALSO ALWAYS LOOK AT WHAT IS THE BEST FOR THIS CITY AND FOR THIS DEPARTMENT.

AND THAT'S WHERE I REST.

SO I HOPE TO BE HERE.

I HOPE TO CONTINUE TO KEEP LEADING.

BUT LOUISVILLE NEEDS AND DESERVES GREAT LEADERSHIP AND I'M SO GRATEFUL I'M PART OF THE EQUATION.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ YOU CAN WATCH THIS EPISODE ONLINE ANY TIME STREAMING AT AT KET.ORG/INSIDE LOUISVILLE.

IF YOU WANT TO GET TO KNOW THE CHIEF ON ANOTHER LEVEL, CHECK OUT OUR 20 QUESTIONS WITH THE CHIEF FROM HER FAVORITE FLAVOR OF ICE CREAM TO THE SONGS IN HER CAR RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S ON INSTAGRAM.

YOU CAN FOLLOW AND SHARE AT KET IN LOU.

THANKS FOR SPENDING A LITTLE TIME GETTING TO KNOW LOUISVILLE THIS WEEK.

I HOPE WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME FOR INSIDE LOUISVILLE... UNTIL THEN, MAKE IT A GREAT WEEK!

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪