‘Share that compassion.’ Chief urges new Lexington police officers to be involved in community

While addressing 25 new Lexington police officers at their academy graduation Friday, Police Chief Lawrence Weathers urged the officers to be compassionate and get involved in Lexington’s community.

“You’ve got to share that compassion with your community, you’ve got to get involved with your community,” Weathers said. “Don’t just put on this uniform and take this uniform off and go home, experience what this community has to offer, and that experience will lead you to the path of justice.”

Weathers also encouraged the graduates to keep an open mind while out on the job and never stop seeking knowledge about the job.

“You learned a lot in the academy. You are not through learning. You will continue to learn,” Weathers said. “I’ve been doing this for 34 years, I’m still learning. It’d be damaging not to seek out knowledge that you need to help bring justice.”

The class began with 48 participants but whittled down to 25 graduate after months of training. The new officers will be spread out among the city in a variety of shifts.

Weathers said he hopes the new officers will help improve the image of police after multiple violent incidents involving officers contributed to a distrust in law enforcement, including the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd in recent years.

“A lot of people, or what seemed like a lot of people when it wasn’t, connected to this profession tarnished that badge,” Weather said Friday. “These people stand ready to polish it and put it back out there in the light where it needs to be.”

Mayor Linda Gorton delivered the administration of oath to the new officers and congratulated them on their graduation.

“Today we make our city safer,” she said.

The Lexington Police Department has dealt with high numbers of officer vacancies in recent years, prompting the city to approve pay increases for the department.

Brandon Nichols, a Lexington native who was part of the graduating class, said the training academy was challenging, but those who were well prepared mentally and physically for the tasks could overcome them.

One of the biggest challenges was to deal with the constant yelling from instructors, but Nichols said he appreciated the tough lecturing.

“You get used to it after a while and they do it for a good reason,” Nichols said. “When you get on the street, people (will) be yelling at you. That way it doesn’t get you to go at a higher pace than them, stay down low and stay calm.”

Where Lexington’s new officers are from

The 25 graduates came from all over the region. Just eight of the graduates came from Lexington, while others came from Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana and Georgia.

Samuel Hack, one of the graduates from Lexington, said the class of 25 was made of a variety of backgrounds and cultures, but they all share a common goal.

“What we share is the reason we sit before you today, the desire to help those who are unable to help themselves,” Hack said. “To run toward where others run away, the courage to make decisions where there is no clear answer and represent something greater than any one person can ever hope to become.”

Nichols said he comes from a family of police officers, including his mother and step-father. He wanted to follow in their footsteps as well as be a positive role model for the community.

“I wanted to (make) an impact in my community, be a leader,” Nichols said. “Not only help get people off the streets but help those in need as well.”