Three local residents have been appointed to the Somerset Police Department’s Citizens Advisory Committee, a group established to advocate for programs and ideas that can build the relationship between the police department and the community.

The new members are Ameet Patel, Thoroughbred Hospitality Group managing partner; Eric Barnes, Trinity Fellowship Church pastor, Somerset Undertaking Company funeral director and former Kentucky Cultural Diversity training coordinator; and JaKaye Garth, Thoroughbred Hospitality Group director of sales.

Patel, Garth and Barnes will be replacing committee members stepping away; Perla Hernandez and French Harmon. Hernandez; a founding member of the committee, has moved away from this area. Pastor Harmon will be taking a job in Louisville which will require more of his time away from Somerset.

Formed in 2016, the committee acts as a liaison to the department by relaying feedback from the community about public safety issues, law enforcement needs and concerns, and any other matters related to policing.

About the Committee, Somerset Police Chief William Hunt said, "the committee is an important link in the chain that connects Somerset Police Department to the community it serves."

“Right now, across our country, relationships between citizens and police are becoming strained."

“To avoid a similar event from happening in Somerset we must continue to build and strengthen our own community relationships and work in unison with community partners. I stand by what I have always said; the Somerset Police Department will never reach its full potential without the support of our community.”

Committee members are volunteers and appointed by Hunt based on recommendations from command level officers, the community, or existing board members. Members are chosen to reflect the community and represent a variety of fields and backgrounds, including but not limited to clergy, education, health care, business and tourism. Members can also represent community groups and be active or retired professionals.

Each person appointed should be of good moral character, willing to volunteer their time and able to communicate with people of all walks of life. There are no term limits; members of the committee choose each year whether they will continue to serve. Many current members have been serving since the committee was first formed.

Existing members include:
• Steve Bray, Vice President and Lender, United Cumberland Bank
• Jon Burlew, Dean of Arts and Sciences, Somerset Community College
• Josh Cimala, President, New Life Industries
• Mike Dunham, Owner of Masterworks Landscaping, Children’s Pastor at East Somerset Church, SPD Police Chaplain
• Steve Hall, President, Over My Head
• Tim Ham, Director of District-Wide Programs, Somerset Independent School System
• Vertrees Molden, Don Molden Multiple Services
• David Morris, President, Modern Systems
• John Perkins, Retired, Somerset Postmaster
• Linda Skaarup, Manager, Eagle Realty and Development
• Joe Weigel, Physician, Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program and Director of the Medical Student Education Program at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital
• Robert Parker, Chief Executive Officer, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital
• Michelle Allen, Executive Director, Somerset-Pulaski County Convention and Visitors Bureau