PADUCAH - A pinning ceremony was held Thursday afternoon at Police Headquarters, to honor newly appointed Chief, Brian Laird.

Participating in the ceremony were City Manager, Jim Arndt, Mayor Brandi Harless, and Chief Laird's wife Jennifer, daughter Kate, and son Brady. His son, Brady, pinned the badge on his father.

Chief Laird spoke with West Kentucky Star about his serving as the head of the Paducah Police Department. He said, "moving forward, my plans are to continue on the community policing philosophy we have and push it even further." He stressed what a tremendous job that Chief Barnhill has done with the department. He also said, "we have a great group of men and women that work here at the Police Department, and I think that's what is key, that's what makes the Police Department who they are, and they do an excellent job. So I consider it an absolute privilege to be able to be the Chief of Police."

He began his law enforcement career with the Paducah Police Department in 2001. He officially became Paducah Police Chief effective January 1st of this year. 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. This division is comprised of the Records and Evidence Unit, along with two detective units: General Investigations, and Drug and Vice Enforcement. 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.  

He is a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club where he is currently serving his third term 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. 

Chief Laird grew up in Metropolis, and is the son of Barry and Lynn Laird of Metropolis. He and his family reside in Paducah and in his free time, enjoys spending time outdoors, and also with his family.