31 New Law Enforcement Officers Ready to Protect Their Communities
On March 23, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 31 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.
“We look forward to the good work you will do once you return to your communities,” Gov. “Congratulations to these 31 men and women who have dedicated themselves to 20 weeks of extensive basic training,” said Gov. Beshear. “I ask the commonwealth to join me and First Lady Beshear in prayer for a safe and fulfilling career of service for these heroes.”
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 536 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 31 graduating law enforcement officers are now ready to wear the badge of honor along with the other 1,115 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 in the Basic Training Academy and wish you success in implementing this training in your home communities,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “You now carry with you the responsibility of serving with honor, integrity, fairness and transparency. Take this responsibility to heart and the people you protect will see how much you care.”
The Beshear-Coleman Administration is proud to welcome the 31 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 536 graduates and their agencies are:
Jason D. Adams
Letcher County Sheriff’s Office
Hannah Adkinson
Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office
Lukas S. Atterbury
Nicholasville Police Department
Christopher M. Beavers
Marshall County Sheriff’s Office
Nathan R. Beikman
Independence Police Department
Gregory J. Black
Clinton Police Department
Johnathon A. Botner
Shepherdsville Police Department
Paul L. Browning IV
Radcliff Police Department
Samson J. Churchwell
Bell County Sheriff’s Office
Jared K. Colebank
Shepherdsville Police Department
Ashley L. Copeland
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office
Logan A. Crabtree
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office
DaRon T. Crump
Maysville Police Department
Brad A. Durr
Simpsonville Police Department
Landen C. Duvall
Boyd County Sheriff’s Office
DaShawn M. Fleming
Shively Police Department
Christopher O. Fraley
Richmond Police Department
Aaron M. Gunterman
Greenville Police Department
Ricky A. Hammers
Henderson County Sheriff’s Office
Nicholas S. Kerney
Radcliff Police Department
Jacob I. Kersey
Glasgow Police Department
Ryan W. Kilmer
Florence Police Department
Travis M. Lovell
Florence Police Department
Blake M. Muzik
Mt. Washington Police Department
Therman T. Pearson
Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office
Matthew B. Proffitt
Mt. Washington Police Department
Anthony S. Rayburn
Edmonton Police Department
Shylier D. Ringgold
Richmond Police Department
Jaden C. Spencer
Russellville Police Department
Nathan D. Strunk
Independence Police Department
Brennen S. Walton
Harrodsburg 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.
The recently enacted bipartisan state budget signed by Gov. Beshear allows the commonwealth to take additional steps to make Kentucky a leader in public safety by enhancing law enforcement training, creating safer communities and improving the safety of both law enforcement officers and Kentuckians. In July, the Governor announced additional steps to enhance public and officer safety, including funding for a new firearms training facility, a Western Kentucky training site feasibility study and an increased training stipend for law enforcement officers.
In October, the administration took another step forward in creating safer communities by awarding more than $350,000 in grant funding to prevent youth crime across the commonwealth.
In June, 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.
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. Recently, the administration announced nearly $2 million in grant funding to enhance public safety, curb the sale of illegal drugs and fight addiction.
Gov. Beshear has championed legislative action like Senate Bill 64 and House Bill 254, making it easier for law enforcement to conduct undercover stings and increase the chances of stopping a horrific crime against a child from being facilitated through the internet. These actions will also provide law enforcement officers with the authority to charge offenders with harsher crimes to keep them away from the public, preventing further interactions with Kentucky’s most vulnerable population.
