LMPD chief resigns weeks after suspension over handling of sexual harassment claim
QUICK UPDATES:
- Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel has resigned, and the mayor accepted her resignation.
- Acting Chief Paul Humphrey has become the interim chief.
- Mayor announces major reforms coming to the department in regard to sexual harassment.
The Louisville Metro Police Department's chief of police has resigned.
Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Tuesday that Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel had submitted her resignation. It was included in his update on the need for significant reforms within the department in regard to workplace sexual harassment.
"I accepted Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel's resignation as chief of LMPD," Greenberg said. "I thank her for her service to our city."
Watch Greenberg's entire update below:
Gwinn-Villaroel was suspended two weeks ago after the mayor heard a recording of a meeting in which a major told her she had been harassed by a male member of the command staff. Read more here.
The mayor put her on paid leave, opened an investigation in how she handled the allegations, and named Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey acting chief.
Maj. Brian Kuriger, who is accused of sexually harassing Maj. Shannon Lauder, has been put on administrative leave amid the investigation, according to Humphrey.
In the following days, two more allegations came to light in the form of lawsuits.
LMPD Officer Christine Silk filed a lawsuit claiming that she was sexually harassed by two supervisors.
Just a day after that lawsuit was filed, Sgt. Lauren Carby filed another suit claiming she was sexually harassed by Maj. Shannon Lauder and her husband, Jeff, who also works for LMPD.
Humphrey said that everyone who is being investigated has been put on administrative leave.
"Placing them on administrative leave is no indication of guilt or innocence by any party," Humphrey said. "We want to make sure the investigation is conducted thoroughly and completely without any interference."
On Tuesday, after announcing the chief was leaving, the mayor named Humphrey the interim chief and then he announced some reforms that are coming in regards to sexual harassment.
"Some new details have emerged in the last few days. They're deeply troubling and disappointing, unacceptable and inexcusable. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect by their colleagues and everyone has a responsibility to treat others with respect," Greenberg said. "I can't control what happened in the past, the only thing I can control is what we do from here on. What I am promising to you, the community and this agency is is we will have solid leadership."
Gwinn-Villaroel was appointed the interim chief on Jan. 2, 2023, after former Chief Erika Shields announced her resignation. Gwinn-Villaroel lead the department when the U.S. DOJ released its scathing report on LMPD.
She was then permanently named LMPD chief on July 20, 2023.
Greenberg then announced she was suspended and put on paid leave on June 12, 2024, for how she handled sexual harassment allegations in May 2024.
He also said on Tuesday that Gwinn-Villaroel will receive four months of pay to help with transitional issues should they arise.
Greenberg said there will not be a search for a new chief at this time, as he and the department want to focus on implementing the new policy reforms.
Humphrey is now the sixth LMPD chief in four years, counting those in temporary and full-time roles since 2020.