Kentucky: Justice & Public Safety Cabinet

Commissioner Bridget Skaggs Brown Bridget Skaggs Brown was appointed Commissioner of the department July 1, 2004 after serving briefly as the agency’s Deputy Commissioner for Operations. Previous to her entry into state government, Ms. Brown worked 20 years in the Louisville Police Department retiring at the rank of Colonel and serving in the capacity of Deputy Police Chief. Her law enforcement career started in 1982 in the role of a police officer serving in the most active districts within the city of Louisville. She later served in the Criminal Intelligence Unit and as detective investigated property crimes, drug trafficking, as well as organized crime activities in cooperation with federal agencies. Her administrative and supervisory experience with the police force started in 1988 upon her promotion to Sergeant. Over the next 10 years Brown steadily progressed through the ranks of the department where as Lt. Colonel she was responsible for the preparation and oversight of a $67 million budget, the hiring of sworn and civilian personnel, and the development of policies and training for sworn officers. Upon her ascension to Colonel in July 2000 she was responsible for the supervision of the Lt. Colonels in charge of Operations, Investigations, and Administration for 745 sworn officers and 332 civilian positions.

Significant accomplishments during her career include the successful negotiation of employment contracts for both sworn and civilian personnel, the development of security details for events such as Thunder over Louisville, and her work in the development of “Kids against Violent Crimes Sports Camp” and the LPD Elderly Abuse Program. She has been awarded a certificate of merit by the Louisville Board of Aldermen (1995), the Exceptional Merit Award by the LPD (1996), and the National Center for Women in Policing Award (2002).

Ms. Brown graduated with honors from the University of Louisville receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Police Administration in 1981 and a Master of Science Degree in Justice Administration in 1989. Her honors at the University of Louisville include her election into Phi Kappa Phi, National All University Honor Society, and recipient of Graduate Dean’s Citation. In addition she was the recipient of the Director’s Award for Academic Excellence from the Southern Police Institute.