James Requests Conrad Testify Before Public Safety Panel

Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad is now official on the job, and a city lawmaker wants the new chief to testify before the Metro Council's Public Safety committee.Conrad was sworn-in on Monday by Mayor Greg Fischer as only the second person to serve as chief since the city and county governments merged. He replaces Robert White, who resigned last year to take the chief post in Denver, Colorado.Councilman David James, D-6, is a former police union president and chairman of the Public Safety Committee. He says the force is moving forward and he expects Conrad to explain his philosophy on community-oriented policing to the council and public."I expect new Chief Conrad to go out and be aggressive about introducing himself to the police officers and all parts of the community and how he plans on dealing with crime in their neighborhoods, particularly the crimes of gang activity, drug problems and property crime that are extremely important to me and many members of the council," he says.James has extended an invitation for Conrad to testify before the panel to discuss various issues surrounding crime. James says the city needs to reduce the number of shootings and the LMPD has to address gang activity in specific neighborhoods. The chief’s office has yet to respond to the councilman’s request.The chief has yet to respond to the request.