LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, announced Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel has resigned from the Louisville Metro Police Department, effective immediately.
What You Need To Know
- Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel resigned June 25 from the Louisville Metro Police Department
- Paul Humphrey will serve as interim chief of police, said Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville
- Greenberg and Humphrey announced changes to LMPD's sexual harassment policies and procedures
- This comes after multiple sexual harassment lawsuits against the department and concerns over how Gwinn-Villaroel handled an allegiation, leading to her suspension
Acting Chief of Police Paul Humphrey will serve as interim chief of police. Greenberg named Gwinn-Villaroel interim police chief on Jan. 2023 and she was named the permanent chief on July 20, 2023. On June 12, Gwinn-Villaroel was suspended over concerns of how she handled a workplace sexual harassment allegation involving LMPD officers.
During the June 25 briefing, Greenberg and Humphrey announced immediate changes to sexual harassment policies and procedures at LMPD. This comes not only after Gwinn-Villaroel’s suspension but multiple lawsuits against the department.
Maj. Sharon Lauder filed a sexual harassment lawsuit on June 13 against another officer claiming he attacked and harassed her. Another LMPD officer then filed a harassment claim June 18 against two of her supervisors before 13-year LMPD veteran Lauren Carby filed a sexual harassment lawsuit June 20 against Lauder.
“Let me be abundantly clear: LMPD will not tolerate sexual harassment,” Humphrey said. “We are implementing significant policy updates. We have begun enhanced training and are revising and improving our reporting and handing processes.”
“Additionally, a variety of support systems are available for employee wellness, including through our Summit Wellness Center. We are committed to accountability and fostering a safe work environment that is welcoming where all employees feel comfortable and secure.”
Louisville Metro Government said LMPD policies have been updated to better align with that of its policies, including an updated definition of sexual harassment to clarify the differences between sexual harassment, sexual abuse and discrimination.
Officers found to have violated sexual harassment policies will be disciplined, including potential termination, Louisville Metro Government added. Anyone wanting to report sexual harassment can now do it through a Metro Government ethics tip line at 888-226-2264 or to the Louisville Metro Department of Human Resources, in addition to the LMPD chain of command, the office of the Chief, the Special Investigations Division or the Office of the Inspector General.
Other reforms include mandatory training for sexual harassment prevention and response, new support for officers who report harassment and additional measures to prevent retaliation.
“This is the beginning of what I expect to be major improvements and transformative reforms at LMPD,” Greenberg said. “That work is ongoing, and there will be more announcements soon.”
Humphrey, who has been with LMPD for 18 years, was named acting police chief June 12 after Gwinn-Villaroel’s suspension.
“Interim Chief Humphrey is fully empowered to make the decisions necessary to reduce gun violence, improve public safety, manage the department, take disciplinary action and implement the policy and priority changes we agree are necessary, particularly surrounding sexual harassment and police misconduct,” Greenberg said.
According to the mayor’s office, Humphrey created LMPD’s new accountability and improvement bureau and serves as the lead officer working with DOJ to bring reform to the department.
“It is a great honor to serve in the role of interim chief, and I appreciate the mayor’s confidence in me to continue moving the department forward,” Humphrey said. “Despite the change in leadership, our goal remains the same. I am proud to work with all LMPD officers and employees who are committed to continuing to protect and serve the citizens of Louisville.”
Humphrey is the sixth person to lead LMPD since 2020. The department has handled several high-profile events over the last four years, such as the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor and a restaurant shooting where a National Guard bullet killed David McAtee.
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