Louisville Metropolitan Police Department Wellness Unit's Response to an Officer-Involved Active Shooter

Presentation Description: On April 10, 2023, the Louisville, Kentucky, Metropolitan Police Department (LMPD) responded to a workplace shooting where five people were killed and eight more were injured, including a rookie police officer. This presentation will review the development of the LMPD Wellness Unit following the civil unrest of 2020, and furthermore, describe how the LMPD Wellness Unit responded to this mass violence incident. Representatives from the LMPD Wellness Unit will present lessons learned and share how agencies can best prepare for this type of critical incident response.

  • Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the factors that led LMPD to establish a full-time wellness unit in 2022.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to list the roles and responsibilities of LMPD's Wellness Unit.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to describe LMPD's response to an officer involved active shooter and list the lessons learned from situation.

Joel Lopez

Lieutenant

Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Police Department

Joel Lopez is a 15-year veteran of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) currently assigned to the Performance Division where he serves as the commander of the Wellness Unit. The Wellness Unit is committed to advancing the wellness and resiliecy of all member of the LMPD though education, research, resources, communication and professional care, to reduce or remove interfence with LMPD member's wellness, whether professionally or personally-induced. Prior to serving as the Wellness Unit Commander Lt. Lopez served as the Inspections and Compliance Commander where he oversaw the development of LMPD's Early Intevention System (EIS).

Bryan Edelen

Major

Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Police Department

Natalie Hughes

Sergeant

Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Police Department

Sergeant Natalie Hughes is a graduate of Indiana State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Natalie joined the Louisville Metro Police Department in 2013. She was on patrol in the 1st Division and then HALO in the 1st Division before being promoted in 2020. Once promoted she spent time in the 4th Division before transferring to the Training Academy. She joined the Wellness Unit in 2023 as the Wellness Sergeant. Natalie has been a part of the Peer Support Team since 2019 and is currently the Peer Support Team Commander.

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