LMPD :: Louisville Metro Police Department
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Chief White shakes up Louisville Police Department

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Louisville Police Chief Robert White is shaking up the department, reassigning many of his top commanders and expanding his narcotics unit to focus on street-level drugs and gangs.

The changes, which will take Jan. 2, include adding eight officers to the Narcotics and Intelligence Division to "put a more concentrated effort on gangs," White said in an interview.

The command reorganization shifts most of and his division heads and adds two assistant chiefs to handle administrative duties, freeing White to spend more time in the community and with officers, he said.

"What has always been a concern of mine is complacency," White said. "We're doing the same thing, getting the same results. And the results are not as good as they should be."

City leaders and police union officials applauded the reorganization, particularly the renewed emphasis on street policing, with some saying the changes should have been made earlier.

"It's been needed for awhile," said Metro Council member Kelly Downard, R-16th District, who has lobbied for several years to have more officers dedicated to combat gang activity and drugs. "This attacks (gangs) in the most forward way. I wish it had been done five years ago."

Incoming-Mayor Greg Fischer said he and White discussed reorganization plan, which he supports.

"I was pleased to see the emphasis on the street-level activity, and the reorganization certainly is going to help in that regard," Fischer said.

Dave Mutchler, head of the Fraternal Order of Police, the union that represents police officers, said the change is one most officers will welcome.

"Anytime we can have a small, dedicated unit, I think they are highly effective and very efficient," Mutchler said. "It's a step forward."

White was criticized when he adopted a more decentralized structure after taking over the merged county and city police departments in 2003. He disbanded a street-crimes unit and moving officers to divisions to act as "flex teams," whose assignments vary depending on each division's needs.

White said that over time those flex units have been called on to tackle many types of crimes and are not always able to focus on gangs and street-level drug activity. Adding narcotics officers will allow that focus, he said.

Downard said he doesn't believe the change indicates White is back-peddling on decentralization.

"It's a recognition of the market he's in," Downard said. "Gangs don't care what district they're in."

White said he's acknowledged for years that gang activity exists in Louisville, but he cautioned that people not start to think of them as the same level of organizations that exist in major cities such as Chicago or Los Angeles.

Still, he said he would like to see more officers take a harder look at gang activity.

"Part of this reorganization is to delve into it a little bit better," he said.

Former Louisville police officer and newly elected Metro Councilman David James, D-6th, , said he's championed expanding the narcotics officers since his days as the FOP president immediately following merger and supports White's move now.

"I was concerned with the closing of the street-crimes unit and the downsizing of the narcotics unit," James said. "If you can address the issues of illegal narcotics and the gang issues, you can address a lot of other crimes."

The narcotics officers will operate much the same as summer task forces have operated during the past several years, targeting high-crime areas that see the most street activity and being both mobile and flexible in their approach and hours.

Officers wishing to join the narcotics unit will undergo an interview process before changes are made after the first of the year.

In addition to the narcotics expansion, most commanders in the department will take on new roles -- shifting divisions and responsibilities, White said.

Part of that change includes the creation of two deputy chiefs and two assistant chief positions, which White says should free up more time for him to spend with his officers and the community.

"I need to be much more seen," White said. "I'm missing dealing with the most important part of the puzzle, which is the officers."

White said the administrative changes also give another set of eyes to the daily operations. Vince Robison will serve as a deputy chief and chief of staff, while Yvette Gentry will be the deputy chief in charge of patrol operation.

The change includes adding two assistant chiefs, who each will report directly to Robison. Ozzy Gibson will run the administrative operations, while Kenton Buckner will be the assistant chief in charge of the support bureau.

Only two majors will stay in their current positions -- Mark Fox in the 7th Division and Dave Wood in the 8th Division, since both were recently assigned to those positions. All other majors will take on new oversight responsibilities.

By switching commanders, White said the energy in the divisions will inevitably change. And commanders, he said, will be able to bring a fresh eye to what's happening in the various divisions.