Paducah police highlight community policing, deflection team and youth outreach

Chief Bridal Laird described the Paducah Police Department’s community-engagement efforts at Robert Coleman Park, emphasizing neighborhood walks, informal interactions and programs designed to connect officers with residents.

Laird said the department operates under a community-policing philosophy and employs a full-time community engagement officer. He described officers shooting hoops with local youth, walking neighborhoods when calls allow, and holding events with the Housing Authority that have grown from a single 'fun day' to multi-vendor service events.

Laird also described a deflection team created about a year earlier that pairs a deflection specialist with a retired police officer to follow up on calls involving drug abuse, homelessness and mental-health crises. The team acts as a second responder to connect individuals with services and has conducted follow-ups the same day or the next day, which Laird said has produced success in connecting people to resources.

The chief said these activities, along with the Citizens Police Academy and ride-alongs for residents, help the department build trust, reduce repeat crisis calls and strengthen problem-solving with community partners.