Police Chief

Police Chief Brian Laird began his law enforcement career with the Paducah Police Department in 2001. He became Paducah Police Chief effective January 1, 2019.  During his career, he has served and supervised in all divisions of the department as a Patrolman, Detective, Sergeant, Captain, and Assistant Chief.  Before becoming Chief, Laird led the Support Services Division as Assistant Chief. This division is comprised of the Records and Evidence Unit along with two detective units: the General Investigations Unit and the Drug Unit. He also served as Commander of Specialized Units which includes SWAT, Bomb Squad, K-9, and the Crisis Negotiation Team.

Chief Laird holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Murray State University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Louisville. He is a 2017 recipient of the FBI-LEEDA Leadership Trilogy Award. In 2014, he completed the 131st session of the Administrative Officers Course/Executive Program through the Southern Police Institute.  He also is a graduate of the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Executive Development Program and Academy of Police Supervision. In 2013, he received the Gary L. Reese Award for outstanding leadership and distinguished career service and was the 2006 Employee of the year with the Paducah Police Department.  

Chief Laird is active in the local community. He is a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club and has previously served three terms on the board of directors and was a member of Leadership Paducah Class #29. He also is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and past president of the Paducah Police Collective Bargaining Unit. In his free time, Chief Laird enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two children.