LMPD :: Louisville Metro Police Department
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Updated: Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Steve Conrad to be new Louisville chief, source says

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Steve Conrad, a former assistant police chief in Louisville who most currently was the chief in Glendale, Ariz., will be named Louisville's next police chief at 10:30 a.m., according to a source familiar with the appointment.

Conrad left Louisville in 2005, having helped to shape the newly formed Louisville Metro Police Department. He joined the former city department as a patrol officer in 1980 and rose through the ranks to become assistant chief under former chief Robert White.

White left Louisville in December to take the chief's job with the Denver Police.

Conrad became the chief of the Glendale department after leaving Louisville, managing the yearly Fiesta Bowl and the 2008 Super Bowl.

Conrad met with command staff Tuesday morning before Fischer's announcement. After the 10:30 a.m. press conference, he was scheduled to go to all eight of the city's patrol divisions to meet with commanders and officers.

Conrad was chosen from a slate of five candidates who were interviewed by the mayor the week of Feb. 6. The five finalists included the deputy chiefs, Yvette Gentry and Vince Robison.

Two of the candidates are chiefs in other districts but formerly served with either the city or county department. They are Jeffersontown Chief Rick Sanders and Conrad.

The other candidate, Glenn Skeens, has had a long career with the Owensboro Police Department, where he now serves as police chief.

The process of finding a new chief began in December after former Chief Robert White left to take the chief's job with the Denver Police Department.

Sixteen candidates applied for the position and were screened through the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville, which conducted the search. The field was narrowed to 11 candidates who were interviewed by a panel and then winnowed to five finalists.

Fischer said that he wanted a candidate with strong Louisville ties to take the position.

Ishmon Burks, a criminal justice professor and former Kentucky State Police commissioner, has been serving as the interim police chief since White left. He is set to take over, at least temporarily, for the retiring Bill Summers, who serves as the chief administrative officer for Fischer.