32 New Law Enforcement Officers Ready To Protect Their Communities
On December 21, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 32 law enforcement officers from agencies across the state have graduated the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s (DOCJT) basic training academy. These law enforcement officers will now serve and protect the commonwealth to create safer communities.
“I congratulate you today for achieving the first step in your law enforcement career – obtaining the critical training necessary to perform your duties safely and effectively,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Your impact on the security and wellbeing of Kentucky families is immeasurable, and Brittainy and I are grateful for what you do to protect us all.”
DOCJT is committed to providing officers with best practices, the latest technology training and legal information to protect the diverse communities they serve. The graduates of Class 544 received more than 800 hours of recruit-level instruction over 20 weeks. Major training areas include patrol procedures, physical training, vehicle operations, defensive tactics, criminal law, traffic and DUI, firearms, criminal investigations, cultural awareness, bias related crimes and tactical responses to crisis situations.
The everchanging nature of public safety and protection requires DOCJT to remain on the cutting edge of law enforcement training practices. This includes providing officers and recruits with latest technology training and legal information available to protect the diverse communities they serve. Advancements in training, facilities and instruction are made often, allowing DOCJT trainers and trainees to have the most possible resources at their disposal.
Today’s 32 graduating law enforcement officers are now ready to wear the badge of honor along with the other 1,323 Kentuckians who have completed their basic training since December 2019. They will work together to create a commonwealth that is safer for all Kentuckians now and into the future.
“I am proud of your commitment to learning the skills and knowledge presented during your time in the Basic Training Academy,” DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek said. “I wish you success in your careers as you implement the training you’ve received in your communities.”
The Beshear-Coleman Administration is proud to welcome the 32 new law enforcement officers into the partnership of public safety. Along with all those currently serving in law enforcement, graduates will play key roles in the ongoing effort of making each of Kentucky’s communities safer.
Class 544 graduates and their agencies are:
Rodney H. Bland Jr.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Coltyn L. Bowman
West Liberty Police Department
Maxwell L. Brinkley
Covington Police Department
Clayton D. Centers
Erlanger Police Department
Elijah M. Crooker
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport Police Department
Malinda A. Dennison
Hopkinsville Police Department
James R. Flannery Jr.
McCreary County Sheriff’s Office
Brian K. Fuson
Bell County Sheriff’s Office
Kenzy M. Hotaling
Covington Police Department
Roland C. Howard
Hodgenville Police Department
Dustin D. Jackson
Fleming-Neon Police Department
Jahrell B. Johnson
Jefferson County Public Schools Police Department
Ronald G. King II
McCreary County Schools Police Department
Richard M. Knisley
Hardin County Sheriff’s Office
Jonathan T. Layne
Prestonsburg Police Department
Joshua R. Lewis
Harlan County Sheriff’s Office
Kelby C. Lloyd
McLean County Sheriff’s Office
Nathaniel J. Louis
Carter County Sheriff’s Office
Justin D. McKinney
Vine Grove Police Department
William B. McLaughlin
Hopkinsville Police Department
Erik M. McQueary
McLean County Sheriff’s Office
Ryan M. O’Neal
Madisonville Police Department
Radford C. Page
Tompkinsville Police Department
Jacob W. Rich
Harlan County Sheriff’s Office
Steven L. Shackelford
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Zakiyyah S. Shahid-Martin
Jefferson County Public Schools Police Department
Joseph S. Shepherd
Vine Grove Police Department
Cory A. Skaggs
Larue County Sheriff’s Office
Ashlyn K. Sondgeroth
Hardin County Sheriff’s Office
Nathan D. Turley-Knight
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
Michael E. Villegas
Hopkinsville Police Department
Tristan A. Wilson
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport Police Department
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.
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 $10 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 $2.1 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.
