New Commissioner, Same Values at DOCJT
We needed a tested and respected leader to provide a seamless transition at the Department of Criminal Justice Training. One who had the experience and energy to build on the momentum from the past two years. The choice was obvious.
In May, William Alexander Payne, deputy commissioner for Kentucky State Police, was appointed as the new DOCJT commissioner. He took the helm after former Commissioner Mark Filburn accepted a job with the Kentucky League of Cities.
DOCJT Commissioner Alex Payne was appointed to his new post May 1, 2018. Payne has devoted a lengthy career to law enforcement, including 20 years with the Kentucky State Police. (Photo by Jim Robertson)
Commissioner Payne has provided exceptional leadership at KSP, overseeing operations and administrative policy. I have been most impressed with his passion for the welfare of officers and his commitment to providing them with the best training and resources available.
Payne has become something of an institution across the state. That’s due, in large part, to his many years as a staff instructor at the KSP Academy. I’ve met many of his former students who, years later, remain effusive with praise. Just listening to Alex talk about tactics is a study in mastery.
He has worked more than three decades in policing, including 20 years at KSP, with an emphasis on training and operations. I won’t recap his entire resume, but it’s worth pointing out that he has provided training instruction for law enforcement agencies across the nation, including departments in New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
We are fortunate to have him here. I hope you will join me in congratulating and supporting him in this new role.
Although we are changing leaders, we are not changing the values or mission at DOCJT. As I stated earlier, one of our primary goals with Payne’s appointment is to continue the progress and momentum from the past two years.
Filburn made many sacrifices to leave a lasting impact on the department. From the start, he was tasked with implementing major administrative reforms and aligning the department with our new objectives. His leadership during that time was transformative.
In addition, he has been a dedicated advocate for officer training and safety. Under his leadership, DOCJT launched the Kentucky Post-Critical Incident Seminar, which offers mental-health support and coping strategies for those struggling from the effects of critical incidents. This is a ground-breaking program that already has helped dozens of officers. He also spearheaded a regulatory overhaul that improved access to training in diminishable skills like driving and shooting.
We appreciate Filburn’s work and commitment, and look forward to watching his work in the future.
We are also looking forward to another year of serving you. I want to reiterate to all law enforcement professionals across the commonwealth that we are committed to providing you with the best services possible at DOCJT. That was the driving force under Filburn’s watch, and it remains so under Commissioner Payne.
