Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel

Louisville Metro Police Department Interim Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel attends a press conference on the Justice Departments findings of the civil rights investigation into the Louisville Metro Police Department and Louisville Metro Government on March 8, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky. – The investigation stems from the March 13, 2020, killing of Breonna Taylor by police officers serving a no-knock warrant. (Photo by LUKE SHARRETT / AFP) (Photo by LUKE SHARRETT/AFP via Getty Images)

Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel

Louisville, Kentucky names first Black woman police chief

The chief of police is appointed by the Mayor of Louisville Metro. Interim chief Gwinn-Villaroel’s command staff consists of two deputy chiefs (Patrol Bureau commander and chief of staff), two assistant chiefs (Administrative Bureau and Support Bureau), fourteen majors (Special Operations Commander, Special Investigations Division Commander, Major Crimes Division Commander, Narcotics/Intelligence Division Commander, Administrative Services Division Commander, Training Division Commander, and eight Patrol Division Commanders) and a civilian attorney serving as the legal advisor.

The Patrol Bureau Commander is responsible for the department’s eight patrol divisions and the VIPER Unit. Patrol Bureau also houses the Downtown Area Patrol, a sub-command of the First Division responsible for patrolling Downtown Louisville during select times. VIPER was established after a high-profile incident in the city.

The chief of staff oversees the Open Records Coordinator’s Office, Media and Public Relations, Administrative Bureau, Support Bureau, and the Special Investigations Division.

The Administrative Bureau controls human resources, Training Division, Administrative Services, and the Administrative Services Division, which encompasses Records Management, the Vehicle Impoundment Lot, the Property Room, and Planning and Technology.

The Support Bureau provides oversight for the Narcotics/Intelligence Division, which comprises the Support Unit, Narcotics Street Enforcement Unit, Major Case Investigation Unit, Violent Crime Interdiction Unit, and the Administration Sergeant; the Major Crimes Division, which encompasses the Crimes Against Children, Homicide, Robbery, Special Victims & Financial Crime, and Forensic Investigations Units; and the Special Operations Division, under which is Special Events, Air Patrol/Special Teams Coordinator, Canine Unit, Traffic Unit, and Community Relations.

The Special Investigations Unit oversees the Public Integrity and Professional Standards units. These are equivalent to an internal affairs unit.