RICHARD W. SANDERS

CHIEF OF POLICE - JEFFERSONTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Chief Rick Sanders has more than 40 years of distinguished service in law enforcement at the local, state, and federal levels. He has extensive experience combatting drug trafficking, as well as connecting those with substance use disorder to treatment.

After 10 years as a police officer for the Jefferson County Police Department in Louisville, Sanders began a 24-year career with the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1983. His DEA positions included Special Agent, Louisville Resident Office; Miami Field Division; Supervisory Special Agent, Office of Aviation Support, Ft. Worth; Resident Agent in Charge, Louisville Resident Office; Special Assistant to the Administrator, DEA Headquarters; Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Indianapolis District Office; and Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Field Division. He retired as Assistant Administrator of the DEA in Washington, D.C. During his tenure with the DEA, he assisted with development of the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and was elected Chairman of the Lake County, Indiana HIDTA and the Chicago HIDTA. 

Following his retirement from DEA, Sanders returned to Kentucky and served as the Chief of Police for the Jeffersontown Police Department from 2007-2016. He was instrumental is preparing the department for launch of the Angel Program, which invites those with substance use disorder into the police department so a volunteer can facilitate getting them into treatment. In 2012, he was elected Chief of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police (KACP), and in July 2014, he was appointed as the President of KACP. 

In 2016, Sanders was appointed Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police and led approximately 2,000 sworn and civilian personnel throughout Kentucky in 16 Post areas and Headquarters. While Commissioner, he continued to expand the Angel Initiative, opening doors at the 16 State Police Posts to facilitate treatment for those with substance use disorder. 

In 2019, Sanders returned to the Jeffersontown Police Department and was appointed Chief of Police by Mayor Bill Dieruf. He currently serves on the IACP Narcotic & Dangerous Drugs Committee and the Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit Advisory Board. 

 A native of Louisville, Sanders has a Bachelor of Science in Police Administration and a Master of Science in Justice Administration obtained from the University of Louisville. He and his wife, Deidra, have two sons.