GLASGOW, Ky. — The Glasgow Police Department is taking steps to give residents a closer look at its operations and strengthen community connections with the appointment of a new community engagement officer.

Officer Johnny Vance has been appointed to the newly created position, where he will focus exclusively on media relations and community outreach.

“This is a full-time position and part of my commitment of strengthening the relationship with the community,” said Chief Guy Howie.

Howie said the community has noticed a “change,” adding that Glasgow’s continued growth has prompted the department to adopt a more proactive approach to policing rather than simply reacting to incidents.

“It’s going to slap us in the face if we’re not ready to take on that growth,” Howie said. “Our policing is more effective when we communicate with the public, and we have better partnerships with the public, our schools and our stakeholders.”

In recent months, the Glasgow Police Department has held more press conferences than it had in the previous six years. The conferences provide an opportunity for multiple reporters to ask questions directly to department leadership, offering a more public setting for media inquiries and responses.

Vance said the department must be willing to acknowledge its shortcomings as part of its commitment to transparency.

“I don’t think we’ve always been the best we can be for our community, and I hope that’s about to change,” Vance said. “If we make a mistakes, we’re going to own it.”

The department has faced public scrutiny over incidents captured on video and shared on social media. In November, officials held a press conference to release body camera footage of one such encounter, providing additional context about the incident.

Vance emphasized that his approach to public communication would include addressing issues directly.

“I’m not going to sweep anything under the rug. I’m going to tell you, and we’ll move forward,” Vance said.

Vance will also oversee community engagement efforts tied to major department events, including Cram the Cruiser and the Faith and Blue Block Party, while representing the department at other community events.

The appointment marks a new role for Vance, who said the public information officer position is one of the few roles he has not held during his nearly three decades in law enforcement.

He began his career with the Glasgow Police Department in 1998 before moving to the Western Kentucky University Police Department. He later served as Smiths Grove’s chief of police until 2022 and was most recently assigned as a school resource officer in Glasgow.

To prepare for the position, he has spoken with officers who serve in similar roles, including longtime Bowling Green Police Department spokesperson Ronnie Ward.

“I really look forward to working and trying to build this relationship with our community,” Vance said. “The citizens of Glasgow deserve that.”

Vance’s appointment comes amid broader changes to the department’s leadership and responsibilities. Howie has recently promoted several officers, and Vance was reassigned from his previous role to take on the new position.

Major Terry Flatt previously served as the department’s spokesperson alongside his other duties before retiring Sept. 1 after 27 years in law enforcement.

Those responsibilities have since been distributed among the department’s captains, while Vance will serve as the department’s dedicated spokesperson and community engagement liaison.

Howie said he consulted with the mayor before creating the position. The city also considered the financial implications of the change.

“It doesn’t appear that it’s going to be any more expensive and what was already budgeted for,” Howie said.