Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel achieves the historic milestone of becoming Louisville's First Black female police chief.

Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, who previously served as the interim police chief in Louisville, has been appointed permanently to the position, marking a historic moment as the first Black woman to hold this role in the department's history. 

Mayor Craig Greenberg made the announcement, expressing confidence in her leadership and reform-oriented track record. Gwinn-Villaroel brings 26 years of experience in law enforcement, having joined the Louisville Metro Police Department in 2021. She assumed the interim chief position in January, succeeding Erika Shields.

Her appointment comes at a challenging time, with the aftermath of Breonna Taylor's tragic killing by the Louisville police in 2020 and the subsequent investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, which revealed routine violations of citizens' constitutional rights within the department.

In her statement, Gwinn-Villaroel emphasized her commitment to rebuilding community trust and addressing violent crime in the city. She acknowledged the need to improve relationships with the community and earn their trust through ongoing efforts and dedication to getting things right.