The Wilmore Police Department was recognized at The Wilmore City Council meeting on Monday night for reaching a feat described by a representative of the Kentucky League of Cities as “dang near impossible to do.”

Law Enforcement Consultant for the Kentucky League of Cities Brian Nunn attended the meeting to present Chief of the Wilmore Police Department William Craig with a certificate to recognize the department for receiving a score of 100 percent on a questionnaire administered by the KLC to determine if a police department is following national best practices. 

“We’re just trying to get out in the state and let the folks that support law enforcement know that you’ve got a very good department here, and you ought to be very proud of it,” Nunn said.

He said his job is to keep officers in the 170 police departments represented by the KLC, as well as the citizens they serve, safe. One way they do that is through a national best practices questionnaire that contains about 60 questions. The questions range from vehicle pursuit policies to use of force policies, down to how evidence is handled.

Out of the 170 departments, there are only around eight or nine who receive a 100 percent on the questionnaire, Nunn said. 

“Wilmore is one of the very few that have obtained that distinction. That’s a pretty big deal,” he said. 

Not only does the 100 percent score look good, it also helps keep the insurance costs for the department down.

“This is about everybody on the department,” Craig said after receiving the certificate. “Every full-time officer every part-time officer, everybody is involved in this.”

After Nunn presented Craig the certificate, Mayor Harold Rainwater declared a proclamation for National Police Week, which is May 14 – 20, and Peace Officers Memorial Day, which is May 15.

“The City of Wilmore formerly recognized the members of the Wilmore Police Department for their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities and the dedication to the community,” Rainwater said. 

The meeting proceeded with concerns and comments voiced by community members regarding the proposal of a joint tourism commission between the cities of Nicholasville and Wilmore as well as Jessamine County, which was introduced at the city council meeting on April 17. While some were excited about the extra advertising dollars the collaboration would bring in, others were concerned about the added tax they would have to charge their guests if the ordinance is passed. The proposal will be discussed more at the next city council meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 15 at Wilmore City Hall.