Lexington Police Officers

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Lawrence Weathers was sworn in as Chief of Police on March 4, 2018.  Weathers and his nine brothers and sisters grew up in Lexington's  Bluegrass Aspendale and Hollow Creek neighborhoods. He holds a  Bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky and earned a Master's  in criminal justice from Eastern Kentucky University.

Weathers was hired by the Lexington Police Department in 1989. During  the first six years of his career Weathers worked as a Patrol officer  and was assigned to the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)  program, teaching elementary and middle school students how to avoid and  resist the temptations that lead to drug abuse. In 1994, he was  transferred to the Bureau of Investigations and assigned as a narcotics  detective.

Weathers was promoted to Sergeant in 1997 and has worked as a  supervisor in every bureau within the Lexington Police Department. In  2001 he returned to the Narcotics Enforcement Unit as a Lieutenant.  In  2008 his assignment shifted to the Chief's office as the commanding  supervisor of the Internal Affairs Section, where he was responsible for  investigating, tracking, and managing complaints against department  officers. A year later, Weathers was promoted to Commander and assigned  to the Bureau of Patrol. In March 2011, Commander Weathers was assigned  to the Training Section. With his appointment to Assistant Chief in  2014, Weathers led the Bureau of Special Operations until he retired  from the Lexington Police Department in 2016.

In July 2016, Weathers was selected as the Director of Law  Enforcement for Fayette County Public Schools. As the Director of Law  Enforcement, he was responsible for the safety and security of more than  40,000 students, staff, visitors, and dozens of school district  properties. As Director, he oversaw 34 sworn officers, supervisors, and  seven civilian staff members. Under Weathers' leadership, F.C.P.S. Law  Enforcement increased its number of officers, improved its training  requirements, and updated several policies and procedures.

When announcing his return to the police department, Mayor Gray noted Weathers' commitment to community policing and how well respected he is throughout Lexington.

Chief Weathers is a Kentucky Law Enforcement Council certified police  instructor through the Department of Criminal Justice Training in  Kentucky. He is certified to teach classes on investigation techniques,  ethics, community policing concepts, hate crimes, cultural diversity,  and leadership.

He is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement  Executives (NOBLE) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police  (I.A.C.P.). He volunteers as a "Drug-Free Lex" member, which is part of  the Kentucky Alliance for Substance Abuse Policy. He also served on the  board of the Downtown Lexington Corporation and has served on  committees responsible for addressing youth violence and homelessness in  Lexington. Chief Weathers also volunteers his time as a mentor to  elementary school students and educates parents and youth about the  effects of illicit drugs and violence.