Fischer Hopes For Fresh Start With LMPD

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer is hoping to forge a new relationship with the Fraternal Order of Police.The FOP and the mayor's office were previously at odds on a number of issues, most recently whether officers can be made to pay to use their police vehicles while off-duty. The case has been appealed several times, but Fischer says out-of-court negotiations with the FOP will begin this week."Any type of new start is refreshing for everybody involved," he says. "So you can put together any type of old thoughts that you have and say it's a new day. I certainly feel that from the FOP, from the chief to the FOP and from the FOP to the mayor's office, so I'm encouraged by that."FOP president Dave Mutchler says he's hoping for an out-of-court agreement now that Fischer has become mayor."It's very evident to me that this is a completely different administration as it regards to the police and the FOP," he says. "We're looking forward to being able to sit down, like we have recently even, and negotiate these things."Police Chief Robert White has also expressed his hopes to work more closely with his officers."Recently there was a reorganization. Part of the reason for that reorganization, or one of the advantages of that reorganization, is it will permit me to spend more time out in the community—which I spend a considerable amount of time—and with the men and women in the department to let them know they are supported," he says.White, Mutchler and Fischer also praised the Louisville Police Foundation's new distress fund, which will give payouts to officers and their families if the officer is harmed in the line of duty.