Chief Mike Ward (Ret.)

Chief Mike Ward (Ret.) began his law enforcement career in 1985 as an officer with the Crescent Springs Police Department in Kentucky. He served as a patrol officer, sergeant and lieutenant before becoming chief and leading the department for 6 years. In 2001, Ward became Chief of the Alexandria Police Department. He introduced the concept of hiring social workers to serve as liaisons between the department, the community and social-service agencies. One of his most important accomplishments was the implementation of the Police Social Worker Program, a multidisciplinary approach to difficult or complicated cases which provided readily available mental-health professionals for consultation, assistance with victim cooperation, and investigations. Chief Ward retired from policing in 2019. He is the past president and current northern representative for the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police. He previously served as Vice Chair of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. He attended Northern Kentucky University and is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy.