SWORN TO SERVE ST. MATTHEWS CHIEF OF POLICE BARRY WILKERSON TALKS COMMUNITY, FAMILY & MORE Writer / Annette Skaggs Photography by Blue Harvest Photography
For some people, their job is just a job — come in, do what is needed and clock out at the end of the day. But for others, their vocations are truly a part of who they are. Chief Barry Wilkerson of the St. Matthews Police Department is one such person who lives and breathes his career. So much so, he returned back to wearing a badge after his retirement as a policeman, serving both the County and Metro Louisville Police Departments, that had eventually led to the role of Major and having worked in several departments such as SWAT, Homicide, Fleet Services and Administration. With approximately 40-plus full and part-time officers and a field of 20 civilian employees, the St. Matthews Police
Department serves and protects 18-19,000 residences in an area of Louisville that covers four square miles that include high-volume areas such as The Mall in St. Matthews, Oxmoor Mall, Baptist and Nortons Hospitals and many offices. With the myriad of commercial opportunities that are prevalent in the community, it is not unusual to believe that the population increases three to fourfold throughout the week. When asked what a typical day is like as the chief of police for the City of St. Matthews Mr. Wilkerson laughed, saying, “Some of the duties that are tied in with this position are similar to running a small business. I am expected to wear several different hats, and be knowledgeable in disciplines such as personnel, budgets, community relations, Human Resources, Workers Rights, Policy and Policing. Sounds like a lot, and it most
certainly is, but luckily I have a great team and I work a lot with the city in finding answers or filling in gaps. “I spend a tremendous amount of time behind the desk working the administrative side of things and they are, of course, extremely important, but I do make time to get to what is second nature to me, which is being a policeman,” he adds. “I instill into my officers the importance of being engaged in the community. That engagement can be as simple as chatting with the residents of St. Matthews while in uniform or bringing your family to the Trick or Treat event that is held at Browns Park each year. When our residents see our officers being ‘human’, I believe that it helps to ease some of the ill feelings that usually come between civilians and law enforcement. That’s why it is important for me to get up from my desk
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