LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor-elect Craig Greenberg announced on Friday that he has selected Deputy Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel as Louisville Metro Police Department's interim chief.

What You Need To Know

  • Gwinn-Villaroel will take over as interim chief starting Jan. 2, 2023, in place of Chief Erika Shields

  • Before coming to Louisville in 2021 to serve as deputy chief, she served for 24 years with the Atlanta Police Department

  • Greenberg said a nationwide search for a permanent chief of police will begin once he is inaugurated

She'll take over the position on Jan. 2, 2023, in place of Chief Erika Shields, who announced in November she will resign on the day Greenberg takes office.

Greenberg said Gwinn-Villaroel was selected after a thorough interview process and input from the community. 

“Jackie has extensive experience in law enforcement leadership and reform,” Greenberg said in a press release. “She is a strong, intelligent community leader and pastor. She is trustworthy and transparent, and Louisville is fortunate Jackie has agreed to serve as Interim Chief of Police.”

Before coming to Louisville in 2021 to serve as deputy chief, she served for 24 years with the Atlanta Police Department, starting in 1997. She served in many roles, including rank of major, detective and training academy director. Shields, who also worked with the Atlanta Police Department before joining Louisville's force, hired Gwinn-Villaroel. 

"Louisville has welcomed me with open arms and I am honored to be the leader of our police department," Gwinn-Villaroel said in a press release.

Shields was the Louisville Metro Police Department's fourth chief of police since 2020. She had been hired by Mayor Greg Fischer after the firing of Chief Steve Conrad over racial justice protests over police killings of Black residents, including Breonna Taylor.

A national search for a permanent chief of police will begin after Greenberg's inauguration on Jan. 2, 2023.

 

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