HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Hopkinsville Police Chief Jason Newby answered questions from the community during a town hall, discussing topics ranging from racial profiling to their SWAT vehicle. Residents gathered at the Kenneth Bates Community Center Thursday night for a chance to let their voice be heard.
Hopkinsville City Councilmember Vance Smith with ward one hosted the town hall, the first of what he anticipates to be several throughout the rest of the summer.
“We want to bridge the gap between our local government and citizens, and be transparent,” said Smith at the beginning of the meeting. Chief Newby was the guest for this first session, who said he will not shy away from hard questions.
Racial profiling in Hopkinsville, citizen concerns addressed
Throughout the evening, Newby responded to several questions regarding officers racially profiling residents. He explained that every traffic stop has to stem from probable cause, and officers have to observe a vehicle committing a violation to justify the stop. In other cases, officers may initiate a traffic stop to investigate a complaint on a certain vehicle…