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Paducah police describe training, vehicle tech and specialized units in ride-along with commissioner
Summary
Paducah Police Chief Bridal Laird told Commissioner Duane Thomas that officers receive more than the state-required 40 hours of annual training (typically 80–120 hours), highlighted declines in major crime since 2019, and toured in-car technology including integrated cameras and license-plate readers.
Paducah Police Chief Bridal Laird gave a tour of the department and a ride-along to Commissioner Duane Thomas, outlining how training and technology shape day-to-day policing in Paducah.
Laird said he started in the department after a college internship and has worked in multiple divisions. He described the department’s four divisions—operations (marked patrol), investigations/support services, the 9-1-1 center (added in 2019) and administration—and noted specialized units including a bomb squad that serves 13 counties and is one of five in Kentucky, a SWAT team, K-9 units and a drone team.
Laird disputed online listings that label Paducah as…
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