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LMPD chief resigns, mayor calls for reforms against sexual harassment

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BRIEF UPDATES:Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel has resigned and the mayor has accepted her resignation.Acting Chief Paul Humphrey has been named interim chief.Mayor announces sweeping reforms within department regarding sexual harassment. The chief of police for the Louisville Metro Police Department has resigned.Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Tuesday that Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel has submitted her resignation. This was part of his update on the need for sweeping reforms within the department regarding sexual harassment in the workplace.“I have accepted Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel’s resignation as Chief of the 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 placed her on leave, launched an investigation into her handling of the allegations and appointed Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey as acting police chief. Maj. Brian Kuriger, who is accused of sexually harassing Maj. Shannon Lauder, was placed on leave pending the investigation, according to Humphrey.In the days that followed, two more allegations came to light in the form of lawsuits.LMPD Officer Christine Silk filed a lawsuit claiming she was sexually harassed by two superiors.Just one day after that lawsuit was filed, Sergeant Lauren Carby filed another lawsuit claiming she was sexually harassed by Maj. Shannon Lauder and her husband, Jeff, who also works for LMPD.Humphrey said all those under investigation have been placed on leave.“The leave of absence is not an indication of guilt or innocence of any party,” Humphrey said. “We want to make sure the investigation is conducted thoroughly and completely without interference.”On Tuesday, after announcing the chief’s resignation, the mayor appointed Humphrey as interim chief and then announced some reforms related to sexual harassment. “Some new details have emerged in the last few days. They are deeply disturbing 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 now on. What I promise you, the community and this agency is that we will have solid leadership.”Gwinn-Villaroel was named interim chief on Jan. 2, 2023, after former chief Erika Shields announced her resignation. Gwinn-Villaroel was leading the department when the U.S. Department of Justice released its scathing report on the LMPD. She was then permanently named chief of the LMPD on July 20, 2023. Greenberg then announced on June 12, 2024 that she was suspended and placed on paid leave in May 2024 over her handling of sexual harassment allegations. He also said Tuesday that Gwinn-Villaroel would receive four months’ salary to help with transition issues should they arise. Greenberg said there is no 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 chief of the LMPD in four years, counting those hired in temporary and full-time positions since 2020.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

QUICK UPDATES:

  • Police Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel has resigned and the mayor has accepted her resignation.
  • Acting boss Paul Humphrey was appointed interim boss.
  • The mayor announces comprehensive reforms in the department regarding sexual harassment.

The police chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department has resigned.

Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Tuesday that Police Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel has submitted her resignation, part of his update on the need for comprehensive reforms within the department regarding sexual harassment in the workplace.

“I have accepted Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel’s resignation as Chief of the LMPD,” Greenberg said. “I thank her for her service to our city.”

Watch Greenberg’s full 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 placed her on paid leave, launched an investigation into her handling of the allegations, and appointed Deputy Police Chief Paul Humphrey as acting police chief.

Maj. Brian Kuriger, who is accused of sexually harassing Maj. Shannon Lauder, has been placed on leave pending the investigation, according to Humphrey.

In the days that followed, two more allegations came to light in the form of lawsuits.

LMPD Officer Christine Silk filed a lawsuit alleging she was sexually harassed by two superiors.

Just one day after filing that lawsuit, Sergeant Lauren Carby filed another lawsuit alleging she was sexually harassed by Maj. Shannon Lauder and her husband, Jeff, who also works for the LMPD.

Humphrey said all those under investigation have been placed on leave.

“The leave of absence is not an indication of guilt or innocence of either party,” Humphrey said. “We want to ensure that the investigation is conducted thoroughly and completely without interference.”

On Tuesday, after announcing the police chief’s departure, the mayor appointed Humphrey as interim chief and announced some upcoming reforms regarding sexual harassment.

“Over the last few days, some new details have come to light. They are deeply disturbing 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 now on. What I promise you, the community and this agency is that we will have solid leadership.”

Gwinn-Villaroel was appointed interim chief on January 2, 2023, after former chief Erika Shields announced her resignation. Gwinn-Villaroel was leading the department when the U.S. Department of Justice released its scathing report on the LMPD.

On July 20, 2023, she was permanently appointed chief of the LMPD.

Greenberg subsequently announced that she was suspended and placed on paid leave on June 12, 2024, for handling allegations of sexual harassment in May 2024.

He also said on Tuesday that Gwinn-Villaroel would receive four months’ salary to help her with any transition issues.

Greenberg said there would be no search for a new chief at this time because he and the department wanted to focus on implementing the new policy reforms.

Humphrey is now the sixth LMPD chief in four years, counting those who have served in temporary and full-time positions since 2020.

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