Lexington taking applications for citizens to serve on police disciplinary board
For the first time, citizens will be able to serve on an internal Lexington police disciplinary board.
The city is currently taking applications for two positions on a police disciplinary board that can recommend punishment for police officers.
The Lexington Police Department Fraternal Order of Police Bluegrass Lodge 4 agreed to add citizens to an internal police disciplinary board as part of a collective bargaining agreement inked in October 2021.
Social justice advocates have pushed for more citizen input on police disciplinary matters for several years.
Mayor Linda Gorton’s Commission on Racial Justice and Equality also recommended adding citizens to the police disciplinary board. Gorton appointed the commission after months of marches and protests in downtown Lexington after the police-involved killings of Breonna Taylor in Louisville and George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Discipline cases are largely decided by Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers. Disciplinary actions can go to the internal police disciplinary board if Weathers opts to send the disciplinary matter directly to the board or if an officer disagrees with Weathers’ recommendation. The board previously consisted entirely of upper-level command staff.
Citizens will still be outnumbered by police on the board.
The new makeup of that board will be five members of the command staff, two members representing the FOP and two civilians. The previous board consisted of six command staff and one member of the FOP.
“I made this a priority as we worked out a collective bargaining contract with our police. Now the police and administration are taking a big step forward to improve police accountability and transparency,” Gorton said.
To apply residents must be 21, live in Fayette County and have no felony convictions. They also must have no misdemeanor convictions within the past five years.
Gorton hopes to make those appointments in the next few weeks. Residents interested in serving should go to www.lexingtonky.gov/joinboards and click on the blue “apply” button, then fill out the form.
Gorton will appoint two members and an alternate. The citizens will serve two-year terms.
