Louisville Metro Police will soon lower its requirements to become an officer with the department.

 

Police Chief Steve Conrad told a committee of Louisville Metro Council members on Monday night about two changes he plans to implement over the summer to try and increase the hiring pool for officers.

 

According to LMPD officials, two years ago around 1,700 people applied to the department, but last year only 1,000 people applied.

 

“We felt like we needed to do something to increase the number of people who are at least applying to the police department,” Conrad said.

 

The first change Conrad says will be implemented this summer is lowering the required two years of college education. The requirement has been in place since the city and county merged back in 2003.

 

“I think at the time when they decided to raise it to 60 credit hours it was probably well intended but had some unintended effects,” said Metro Councilman and former police officer David James (D-6).

 

The department will now only require a high school diploma to be considered for an officer position.

 

Conrad says that change will be put into place as a pilot program over the next two years while the effects, if any, are studied.

 

The other change Conrad is making is to the restrictions on previous drug usage.

 

In the past the agency had a requirement that an applicant must not have used, possessed or sold a narcotic in the last six years.

 

That will change to three years.

 

LMPD is planning to hire 122 officers over the course of the next year.

 

Louisville Metro Police To Lower Entry Standards – Law Officer

I am fine with dropping the college credit hour requirements but say what!?!?!?

 

In the past the agency had a requirement that an applicant must not have used, possessed or sold a narcotic in the last six years.

 

That will change to three years.

Don't pay enough to be scrutinized and critiqued for every action let alone being killed.

Was interested to hear your take on the college credit hours, glad you shared your thoughts, 'Ru.

 

I agree with you about the prior drug use. I can't even imagine the justification for that.

Was interested to hear your take on the college credit hours, glad you shared your thoughts, 'Ru.

 

I agree with you about the prior drug use. I can't even imagine the justification for that.

 

In theory college credit hours are a GREAT thing but the problem is you miss out on a lot of good police candidates that were either gaining better experience in the working world or college just wasn't for them.

 

Colleges is great, but it is not for everyone and I will take a street smart guy or gal anyday over some college grad that doesn't have a clue.

 

On drug use, I would like to know more, are we talking pot or are we talking meth? Now drug dealing, are you kidding me Louisville Metro. I really think the article was deficient, more detail needed to be shared about the drug use/dealer policy.

In theory college credit hours are a GREAT thing but the problem is you miss out on a lot of good police candidates that were either gaining better experience in the working world or college just wasn't for them.

 

Colleges is great, but it is not for everyone and I will take a street smart guy or gal anyday over some college grad that doesn't have a clue.

 

On drug use, I would like to know more, are we talking pot or are we talking meth? Now drug dealing, are you kidding me Louisville Metro. I really think the article was deficient, more detail needed to be shared about the drug use/dealer policy.

 

Agree completely about the college hours. Going to college doesn't necessarily make for a better officer.

 

I think the drug thing is stupid altogether to be honest. Anything more than a possession of marijuana charge should dismiss you from being a police officer, IMO.

Agree completely about the college hours. Going to college doesn't necessarily make for a better officer.

 

I think the drug thing is stupid altogether to be honest. Anything more than a possession of marijuana charge should dismiss you from being a police officer, IMO.

 

You summed my thoughts up very well.

Agree completely about the college hours. Going to college doesn't necessarily make for a better officer.

 

I think the drug thing is stupid altogether to be honest. Anything more than a possession of marijuana charge should dismiss you from being a police officer, IMO.

These are my thoughts as well.

 

Maybe LMPD plans on starting their own Drug Busting Suicide Squad and need a few experienced drug dealers on the force.

I do not think a previous charge for drug sales should ever be acceptable, Period. When you're a user you endanger oneself but getting someone else involved, shows a disregard for another person's well being. Once standards are lowered for drugs usage, you're headed down a very dangerous slippery slope. I think the change for college hours is acceptable, a lot of hard working talented people just aren't cut out for college.

Let me spin this another direction. Want to have a bigger applicant pool? How about providing better safety to the officer? How about better work hours? Maybe try providing a decent wage based on the risk associated?

We will likely continue to see Police Departments making changes similar to Louisville Metro's. There is a serious shortage in police applicants all across the nation. Not surprising at all.

We will likely continue to see Police Departments making changes similar to Louisville Metro's. There is a serious shortage in police applicants all across the nation. Not surprising at all.

 

Exactly.

 

And the result is going to be lesser qualified officers in a more dangerous environment.

 

How does everyone think that is going to work out.

Exactly.

 

And the result is going to be lesser qualified officers in a more dangerous environment.

 

How does everyone think that is going to work out.

 

 

I try to stay positive about it, but it's a ticking time bomb.

I try to stay positive about it, but it's a ticking time bomb.

 

Me too Brother.

 

Hopefully technological advancements can help us make up for the shortcomings.

Exactly.

 

And the result is going to be lesser qualified officers in a more dangerous environment.

 

How does everyone think that is going to work out.

 

But doesn't lowering the standards bring in MORE people into the candidate pool who would be lesser qualified?