LOUISVILLE — Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Monday veteran LMPD officer Paul Humphrey will be the next chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department. Chief Humphrey has served as interim LMPD chief since June.
A lifelong Louisville resident whose family members worked in public service, Chief Humphrey joined LMPD as a patrol officer in 2006 following his graduation from the University of Louisville. Since 2006 Humphrey has served as a patrol officer and patrol supervisor in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th divisions. A longtime member of the LMPD SWAT Team, Chief Humphrey was promoted to SWAT Team Commander in 2017. Humphrey is credited with restructuring the SWAT Team, creating a new culture of improvement and accountability while managing the team’s training, tactical planning, and operating budget. In 2019, Humphrey was chosen to lead the LMPD training division before being promoted to Deputy Chief for Accountability and Improvement in 2022 where he led LMPD’s police reform initiatives during and after the DOJ’s pattern and practice investigation of the department.
“Over the past year and a half, I’ve worked closely with Chief Humphrey, and I’ve observed the way he navigates challenging situations with the LMPD command staff. Chief Humphrey is thoughtful, fair, and decisive. He has earned my respect, and he has earned the respect and trust of this community, including the hardworking men and women of the Louisville Metro Police Department. He understands the importance of community policing and he will demand accountability from his officers, his command staff, and himself. LMPD needs stability in its leadership, and I’m confident Chief Humphrey will bring that stability.”
Chief Humphrey is credited with establishing the LMPD Accountability and Improvement Bureau in 2022, which led to the opening of The Summit Wellness Center, a state of the art facility promoting mental, physical, spiritual, social, and financial wellness for police officers and other first responders in Louisville. Earlier this year, he represented LMPD on the consent decree negotiation team along with officials from the Mayor’s Office and the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office.
“The sworn and professional staff of LMPD work tirelessly each day to make Louisville a safer city. It is a tremendous honor to serve our residents, business community, and visitors. I am profoundly grateful to Mayor Greenberg for his support, and that he has confidence in our leadership. Our city deserves a top-tier, quality police department and I look forward to continuing LMPD’s commitment of providing exceptional services to our community,” Chief Humphrey said.
Outside of LMPD, Chief Humphrey is actively engaged with several community organizations. He serves on the board of St. Xavier High School, his alma mater, and the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. He has also served on the Catholic Charities of Louisville Board of Directors. Humphrey lives in Louisville with his wife and three children.
