Gov. Beshear, Department of Criminal Justice Training Announces 24 Graduates of Public Safety Dispatch Academy Class 152
On October 6, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) announced that 24 dispatchers from across the state graduated from the Public Safety Dispatch Academy and are now ready to begin answering the call to aid both citizens and law enforcement officers of the commonwealth.
“Your commitment to your community and commonwealth is honorable,” Gov. Beshear said. “You are the lifeline to those who are experiencing the roughest moments of their lives. Thank you for answering the call to serve and being the calm voice when our Kentucky families need it most.”
Dispatch basic training is mandatory for any sworn or civilian employee who will dispatch law enforcement officers by radio at a Criminal Justice Information Systems agency. Graduates of the academy have successful completed a highly structured and comprehensive curriculum to satisfy mandated training requirements. The graduates of Class 152 received 164 hours of academy instruction to satisfy these requirements over four weeks. Major training areas include identifying the role and responsibilities of the dispatcher, correct phone and radio procedures, handling emergency and non-emergency calls for service, emergency medical dispatch protocols and use of the state and national criminal databases.
“Choosing to become a member of a time-honored profession is admirable,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “It carries with it a commitment of honor and professionalism. I thank you for your commitment and wish you the best of luck in your careers.”
Class 152 graduates and their agencies are:
Leslie A. Blevins
Bluegrass 911 Central Communications
Parris O. Bowman
Lexington Enhanced 911
Morgan C. Brewer
Perry County 911
Jeremiah Daniels
Monticello/Wayne County 911
Bradley H. Elswick
Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office
Chantelle L. French
Nelson County E-911
Anastasia Goodwin
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Michael Graham
Hopkinsville Police Department
Rickie A. Hall
Lexington Enhanced 911
Cynthia F. Harding
KY State University P.D.
Kelsie Hensley
Henderson Police Department
Alexas F. M. Hunt
Tompkinsville Police Department
Jasmine L. Johnson
Butler County Dispatch E-911
Taylor R. Lacy
Winchester Police Department
Catherine A. Lane
Campbellsville Police Department
Sonya Logan
Morehead Police Department
Britnee A. Louden
Shelby County 911 Communications
Josh Marshall
Carter County 911
John P. McLeod
Cynthiana-Harrison County E-911
Megan N. Neal
McCreary County 911
Hayley E. Porter
Georgetown Police Department
Destinee Taylor
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Steven Townsend
Powell County Dispatch 911
Ellissa M. Watson
Paris/Bourbon County 911
DOCJT provides basic training for city and county police officers, sheriffs’ deputies, university police, airport police throughout the state, only excluding Louisville Metro Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Bowling Green Police Department and the Kentucky State Police, which each have independent academies.
DOCJT is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA is seeking public input regarding DOCJT’s compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accredited status. Click here to submit comments.
Beshear-Coleman Administration Commitment to Making Kentucky a National Leader in Public Safety
The Beshear-Coleman administration’s top priority is the safety of all Kentuckians. The Governor's public safety actions are creating safer communities and a better Kentucky now and into the future.
Gov. Beshear has unveiled part of the administration’s upcoming budget plan to further protect law enforcement officers while making Kentucky a leader in public safety. The administration’s proposed budget includes an additional raise for state police troopers and officers, increased training stipend and an improved pension system for local and state law enforcement and funding for local law enforcement to purchase body armor.
In July, Gov. Beshear broke ground in Richmond on a new law enforcement training facility named in honor of Jody Cash, who lost his life in the line of duty May 16, 2022, while serving as chief deputy of the Calloway County Sheriff’s Office. Members of the Cash family, as well as state and local officials and staff from the Department of Criminal Justice Training, joined the Governor in taking a step forward to enhance the safety of Kentucky’s nearly 8,000 peace officers who risk their lives every day to protect Kentucky families.
Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded almost $8 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in purchasing the tools and resources that will not only allow them to protect Kentucky communities but will also ensure their safety as they stand on the front lines every day. In September 2022, the administration announced nearly $2 million in grant funding to enhance public safety, curb the sale of illegal drugs and fight addiction.
In June 2022, Gov. Beshear announced the Military to Law Enforcement Program (M-2-LE). M-2-LE allows local law enforcement agencies in Kentucky to hire active service members within all U.S. military branches during their last 180 days of service. Upon being contracted by a law enforcement agency, the military member will continue to receive their pay and benefits from the U.S. Military while they undergo law enforcement training at the Department of Criminal Justice Training.
