LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Col. Paul Humphrey is Louisville's new acting police chief, but he must deal with the same problems after another violent night in the city. That's why he has a plan to stop the violence. 

Louisville's latest fatal shooting happened overnight near Preston Highway, in what has become a routine occurrence. 

"Obviously, violent crime here recently in the last few years, it's been at a level that's just completely unacceptable," Humphrey said. 

Earlier this week Humphrey took over as LMPD's acting chief after Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel was put on administrative leave because of how she handled a sexual harassment allegation from a high-ranking officer. 

Humphrey talked exclusively to WDRB on his first full day on the job.

"We need the citizens to know that we are not going waver, we are not going to falter, in our effort to make sure we keep them safe," he said. 

Humphrey said that means proactive policing. "We have to go out there and proactively look for criminals and take people to jail. That means that we have to interact and talk to people, and make sure that we're making contacts in the community where people know and trust that we're going to take care of them."

Humphrey admits, neither he nor the department is immune to mistakes. "And what we have to pledge to you is that when we make mistakes or be open honest about those mistakes, and that we're going to fix them and take care of them. There are certain things that we won't tolerate."

As acting chief, Humphrey will continue to have the support of a veteran command staff.

"We work as a team," he said. "We have to -- this job is too big for any one of us -- and so, they know that I am going to rely on them, and they know that they can rely on me."

One of the people Humphrey will rely on is Deputy Chief Steve Healey.

After more than 24 years with the department, which includes time as a major in urban areas like the 2nd Division, Colonel Healey was headed for retirement.

"I'd actually turned in my retirement paperwork," Healey said. "And I'd already started vacationing out."

Colonel Healey says he is staying because of his love for the department, the city and the people they are sworn to protect and serve.

"This is what my passion is," Healey said, adding that he couldn't retire knowing what this department was gonna go through, what the city was going to go through."

Humphrey is beyond grateful for Healey's support.

"It was tough for me to ask him, but he was he was very he was very gracious and ready to help," Humphrey said. 

Humphrey, an 18-year veteran of the department, appreciates what Colonel Healey brings to the table.

"Steve Healey has been around this community's police department for a long time," Humphrey said. "And I wouldn't want to step into making some of these decisions without his wise counsel."

Both Healey and Humphrey agree that reducing violent crime is still the priority going forward.

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