The City of Hopkinsville has named Jason Newby its next chief of police. Mayor J.R. Knight made the announcement Friday morning and said it was pending approval by the city council.
Newby was one of 29 applicants for the position that opened when Clayton Sumner announced he was retiring in August of this year.
click to download audioNewby joined the Kentucky State Police in June of 2000. After graduating from the Kentucky State Police Academy, he was stationed at Post 2 in Madisonville and assigned to Christian County. He rose to the rank of sergeant and has worked at both the Hopkinsville Police Department and most recently as chief deputy for the Christian County Sheriff’s Department.
During his interview process with Knight, the mayor said Newby outlined his vision for the police department for the next five years. His priorities include continuous patrols on the greenway and adding call boxes and cameras. He also looks to create mission-oriented units to combat gun violence and drug trafficking.
click to download audioNewby also wants to reach out to the community to have bi-annual ward meetings with residents, councilmembers and the mayor as well as reestablishing the Neighborhood Watch Programs and and creating a homelessness outreach program to reduce the homeless population.
Newby also wants to bring his department and the emergency call center to full staff.
click to download audioNewby will replace Sumner, who has served as Hopkinsville police chief for the past nine years. If Newby is approved, Sumner will shift to an administrative role, borderline emeritus.
Newby will lead a department of 79 sworn officers, 35 civilian employees, 13 non-hazardous employees and 22 emergency call center employees.
He will oversee a $9.3 million budget and will have a base salary of $105,546.
The mayor intends to bring Newby to the April 4 City Council meeting for Council approval.
