FROM METRO GOVERNMENT
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 21, 2020) – Today Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Steve Conrad notified Mayor Greg Fischer of his decision to retire at the end of June.
“In his decades as a public servant, Chief Conrad has shown a deep commitment to justice, innovation and fairness,” Mayor Fisher said. “As our Police Chief for the past eight years, he has worked tirelessly on improving transparency and community policing. Most importantly, he has been a kind, decent, fierce advocate and protector of the city he loves, and a respected colleague. I appreciate that he is staying through the end of our fiscal year to help us ensure a smooth transition, as we continue to grapple with budget challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Link to Rusty Satellite Show interview with Conrad from April 2019.
Chief Conrad began his career in 1980 as a patrol officer for the former Louisville Division of Police. He rose through the ranks, eventually serving in the role of assistant chief overseeing the merger that created the Louisville Metro Police Department. After a stint as the chief in Glendale, AZ, Chief Conrad returned to Louisville as chief in 2012.
“It has been the highlight of my professional career to be Louisville’s police chief,” said Chief Conrad. “LMPD is full of amazing men and women who come to work each day to do their best for this community and it has been a privilege to lead them.”
As Chief, Conrad ensured the department led the way in providing data and information through its webpage, regularly participated in community events and non-profit boards, made several key policy changes, and actively led the Synergy Project effort to strengthen trust between residents and police.
“This job has been filled with many more ups than downs, and I only wish we had not had to say goodbye to three officers who lost their lives in the line of duty during my tenure,” said Chief Conrad. “I’m grateful for this opportunity and express my sincere appreciation to this community, the members of my command staff, Mayor Greg Fischer, and most importantly to my family, who sacrificed a lot for me to have this chance to serve.”
Mayor Fischer has asked Colonel Robert Schroeder to serve as Interim Chief of LMPD upon Chief Conrad’s departure, while a search for a permanent Chief gets underway.
“Col. Schroeder has a long career with the Department, and has led many critical projects within the Department, including the implementation of police body cameras and the creation of the LMPD’s Crime Information Center (CIC) and Real Time Crime Center (RTCC),” said Mayor Fischer. “I feel confident he will ably lead this team of devoted men and women in blue.”
Mayor Fischer also announced he will be realigning LMG’s Cabinet structure so that the LMPD reports to Amy Hess as Chief of Public Safety. Chief Hess brings an unparalleled record in taking on this added responsibility, having served as Executive Assistant Director of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch, and as the Special Agent in Charge of the Louisville FBI field office.
“For us to have true public safety, it is critical the community have trust in our Police Department,” said Mayor Fischer. “My administration will work tirelessly to continue to build that trust. My thanks go to all those involved in that work – to the men and women of the LMPD, for the difficult and often dangerous work they do, and for their efforts to create strong police community relationships, and to the many community members who are committed to helping us create the Louisville we all want.”
