U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has announced that in response to his request, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is planning to open a Resident Agency in Paducah.
Earlier this year, Senator McConnell contacted FBI Director Christopher Wray to advocate for the facility, writing, “additional federal resources – working in collaboration with state and local agencies – in Paducah can make an enormous difference in keeping communities in Western Kentucky safe.”
Since the closure of FBI’s Paducah satellite office in 2007, Senator McConnell has heard from a number of local law enforcement officials supporting the Bureau’s return to the region.
“I want to thank FBI Director Wray for his decision to reopen the office. Paducah is well-positioned to host substantial law enforcement responsibilities for the many communities in the far western part of the Commonwealth,” said Sen.McConnell. “We are proud to have excellent state and local law enforcement agencies in the region, however, certain cases, like white collar corruption and violent drug crimes, are better handled in coordination with federal law enforcement. At a time when the drug abuse epidemic continues to grow at an alarming rate, additional federal resources on the ground are vital to effectively fighting this ongoing challenge.”
“Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell deserves a lot of credit for bringing more federal law enforcement efforts to Paducah,” said Brandon Barnhill, Paducah Police Chief. “By opening a new FBI satellite office in the area, these resources can add to the work already being done by local and state officers to keep our community safe. We look forward to increasing our partnership with the FBI to address the pressing issues facing Paducah and to continue working with policymakers at all levels to promote the security of those we are sworn to protect.”
Earlier this year, Sen. McConnell announced the Drug Enforcement Administration would be opening a Post of Duty office in Paducah. Senator McConnell said, “The new DEA office can make a significant difference in combatting the recent spike in illicit drugs in Western Kentucky and in helping to better protect rural communities in the region.”
Sen. McConnell contacted DEA Acting Administrator Robert Patterson to advocate for the facility. FBI anticipates space being available for full-time support in late FY 2020 or early FY 2021.
“A satellite office in Paducah will also be beneficial in responding to crisis situations in the region, such as the tragic Marshall County school shooting,” Sen. McConnell added. “Paducah is also home to the Department of Energy’s Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, which houses sensitive energy materials, and the FBI’s presence in the city would better protect the plant, its workers and the larger community.”
Office of Sen. Mitch McConnell
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