One-on-one: LMPD interim chief talks culture change, 'new standard' moving forward
Paul Humphrey, a Louisville native who's been with LMPD for 18 years, is stepping in as interim police chief amid department scandal, scrutiny, and shakeups.
In an exclusive sit-down with 비바카지노 Viva맥스카지노s Alexis Mathews, Humphrey says he's up for the challenge of turning LMPD around.
The now-interim chief made a confident statement after being appointed by Mayor Craig Greenberg earlier this week.
맥스카지노What I am promising to you, the community and this agency will have solid leadership,맥스카지노 Humphrey said.
Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel resigned on Tuesday after a series of internal sexual harassment claims and lawsuits within the department. But, the cloud over LMPD has been dark for some time. There's been the fallout of Breonna Taylor's death, with federal charges brought against four LMPD officers.
"Slushy Gate" was brought to light, and the Department of Justice uncovered a history of discriminatory patterns and practices. There맥스카지노s also Scottie Scheffler's arrest and dropped charges, and a pending consent decree.
During Humphrey맥스카지노s first exclusive TV interview in the new role, he was asked how he'll lead differently than the five previous chiefs the department has had since 2020. He first acknowledged the mistakes LMPD has made.
Watch 비바카지노 Viva's full interview with Humphrey below:
맥스카지노Have we messed up things in the past? Absolutely. Have we failed to make changes and take care of people the way we were supposed to at times, particularly some of our employees? Absolutely,맥스카지노 Humphrey said. 맥스카지노Are we going to do a better job tomorrow? One hundred percent, and that's what you can expect.맥스카지노
Expectation was brought up repeatedly during the sit-down. But Humphrey said he's motivated by the high standards set by the community and the force to succeed as a leader.
맥스카지노I'm motivated by the fear of failure, so when people set high standards for me, it's exciting because it's something I have to shoot for to achieve,맥스카지노 he said. 맥스카지노I never want to let anyone down, including myself.맥스카지노
When asked if he would accept a permanent chief role if offered, Humphrey said he would cross that bridge if he got there.
맥스카지노You come into this profession and there's many things that are open to you that you don't realize are open to you until you get close to them,맥스카지노 he said. 맥스카지노When I was a new cop 18 years ago, this was the farthest thing from my mind.맥스카지노
If Humphrey is made the permanent police chief, he says he understands the support and concerns of an internal hire. Many question if that will evoke true culture change at LMPD.
맥스카지노I get to have a new say on what happens around here, so I take full responsibility for anything that happens on my watch,맥스카지노 he said. 맥스카지노That's not to say there aren't advantages to being an external chief, there are because you get to bring in new perspective and you get a fresh start, but to know this place, inside and out, to know the people, to know the city, know the streets, the culture of the city, this is home and something I'm going to fight for.맥스카지노
As for the future of the department under his leadership, the interim chief says he has a clear plan.
맥스카지노We're going to set a new standard going forward, and I think people can get behind that,맥스카지노 he said. 맥스카지노I'm excited for the possibilities of where this agency is going.맥스카지노
Humphrey is also leading the consent decree negotiations on behalf of LMPD.
"We have to make sure we achieve success in the consent decree and it's not at such an overly burden expense of both time, manpower, and money," he said.
Humphrey says this role is critical for the success of Louisville and LMPD. He says that considering the circumstances, his transition to interim chief has been smooth so far.