Minerva Virola

Minerva Virola is the Equity and Diversity Manager for the Louisville Metro Police Department. Her responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• developing and implementing diversity initiatives that relate to hiring, special assignments opportunities, promotions, exit interviews, and retention. 
• creating and ensuring processes and procedures are inclusive, transparent, impartial, free of discrimination and harassment, and equitable for all members of the LMPD
• supporting and enforcing all Office of Equity initiatives and goals
• developing and maintaining internal and external strategic diversity partnerships within the department and community. 

Minerva retired as a Louisville Metro Police Officer in 2012. She served 11 years as the Citizens Police Academy Coordinator in the Community Relations Unit. During her career with LMPD, she also worked as the District Resources Officer in the 5th District (at that time), Professional Standards and as an Intelligence Unit Detective. She was the first Latina hired as a sworn Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Kentucky. Minerva speaks fluent Spanish, which has helped her career in law enforcement. She has translated and/or interpreted in almost every unit in the police department.

Minerva hosted a weekly Spanish radio talk show at La Poserosa, the only Spanish radio station in Louisville for eight years. The talk show informed the Latino community about personal safety and crime prevention. Minerva was the founder and owner of the Purple Butterfly, Inc., dba Teen Circle—a teenage girls’ mentoring program. They published a free quarterly magazine written by teenagers and distributed throughout Louisville. 

Minerva holds a Master of Science Degree in Conflict Management from Sullivan University. Several certifications from Cornell University in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She is a facilitator for an international organization called Mankind Project and its program called Understand Power, Privilege and Differences. (UPPD). Minerva is a facilitator in training for the Woman Within organization, and one of the founders of the Diversity committee in that organization for 8 years. Minerva is committed to change within and supporting the police department in equity and diversity.

Minerva has two grown children. She enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, running, hula-hooping, and reading.