HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Hopkinsville Police Chief Jason Newby answered questions from the community during a town hall, discussing topics ranging from racial profiling to their SWAT vehicle. Residents gathered at the Kenneth Bates Community Center Thursday night for a chance to let their voice be heard.

Hopkinsville City Councilmember Vance Smith with ward one hosted the town hall, the first of what he anticipates to be several throughout the rest of the summer.

“We want to bridge the gap between our local government and citizens, and be transparent,” said Smith at the beginning of the meeting. Chief Newby was the guest for this first session, who said he will not shy away from hard questions.

Racial profiling in Hopkinsville, citizen concerns addressed

Throughout the evening, Newby responded to several questions regarding officers racially profiling residents. He explained that every traffic stop has to stem from probable cause, and officers have to observe a vehicle committing a violation to justify the stop. In other cases, officers may initiate a traffic stop to investigate a complaint on a certain vehicle.

“If somebody feels like they have been pulled over simply because of their race or because of their vehicle they were driving, they need to call the police department and they can speak with me…if we don’t know, we can’t fix it,” said Newby.

He initiation a discussion with the audience, saying that the department often gets conflicting requests from residents in the area who say that HPD should have a larger presence, while some simultaneously say that HPD has too much of a presence.

“I think there is a history of no trust, and it goes back generations,” said a resident in response. Another person later insisted that there is a clear difference in how officers and the city treats residents in certain inner-city areas. A woman who grew up on Second Street said, “You guys have to do your job, I understand. Some people may make you feel like all people in that area are the same…but that’s just not true.”

Constructive discussion and conversation extended over the span of an hour, with residents sharing their experiences with law enforcement in the neighborhood. Councilmembers Jason Bell, Brittanie Bogard, and Elizabeth Draude were also in attendance alongside City Administrator Troy Body and neighborhood association presidents.

“Are there bad cops? Absolutely. I’m not ignorant to that fact,” Newby said after residents spoke. “There’s bad teachers, there’s bad doctors, there’s bad lawyers…All we can do is try and weed them out.”

Other issues addressed by HPD

Here are other answers that were offered up by Newby during the town hall as a result of questioning.

  • Officers do have ongoing sensitivity training that begins at the police academy.
  • Residents who have issues with loud music can contact HPD, and there is a possibility that signs can be erected in the area to try and prevent it.
  • The BearCat is a SWAT vehicle that the city council approved for HPD three years ago. The “tank-like” vehicle may be seen throughout the city, especially during the execution of joint search warrants with federal agencies.
  • HPD is planning to host another Citizens Academy this fall for residents to experience day to day operations of the department.
  • Body cameras are turned on as soon as officers arrive on a scene, or as soon as they come in contact with an individual.
  • There is an interlocal agreement where HPD only responds within the city, but they may venture out into the jurisdiction of the Christian County Sheriff’s Office or surrounding counties if their presence is requested.

Newby said the department has nothing to hide, and anyone who feels they have been wrongfully treated by specific officers can contact the appropriate department or reach out directly to him via email at jason.newby@h-ky.us.

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