Gov. Beshear, Department of Criminal Justice Training Announce 24 Officers Graduate from the Academy of Police Supervision
On May 19, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) announced that 24 law enforcement officers from agencies across the commonwealth graduated the Academy of Police Supervision (APS) Class 93. APS, also called the sergeant’s academy, is a three-week, 122-hour training program targeted for newly promoted sergeants or officers who are on their agency’s promotion list to become sergeants.
“Thank you for taking on the challenge of leadership,” Gov. Beshear said. “I know the work you have put in over the last three weeks has prepared you to lead your fellow law enforcement officers with honor and integrity. I wish you the best as you settle into your new positions.”
APS was launched in 2003 as one of DOCJT’s illustrious leadership courses aimed at developing and shaping future and current leaders in law enforcement agencies across the commonwealth. The training program is a deep dive into how to positively influence groups of people, as well as how to apply situational leadership, demonstrate an understanding of constitutional and administrative law, emotional and social intelligence, ethical decision making, problem solving, emotional survival, and public speaking.
“Completion of APS is invaluable as your step into leadership roles with your agencies,” DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek said. “I am excited to see how you take the knowledge you’ve gained back to your departments and use it to better your community.”
APS Class 93 graduates and their agencies are:
Sgt. Alexander Cortez
Hopkinsville Police Department
Sgt. Aaron Daniels
Shelbyville Police Department
Sgt. Dwaine Durrett
Oldham County Police Department
Lt. Kent Hall
Newport Police Department
Sgt. Douglas Haubner
Covington Police Department
Sgt. James Jackson
Lakeside Park/Crestview Hills Police Department
Sgt. Cory Jones
Simpson County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Joseph Keelin
Madisonville Police Department
Sgt. Charles Langford
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Jeffrey Linkugel
Dayton Police Department
Sgt. Josh McConnell
Frankfort Police Department
Sgt. Derick Pugh
McCracken County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Michael Reese
Maysville Police Department
Sgt. Ian Renfrow
Leitchfield Police Department
Sgt. Tyler Robinson
Grant County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Jason Shipman
Louisville Regional Airport Police Department
Sgt. Michael Spann
Christian County Sheriff’s Office
Lt. Justin Stevens
Flatwoods Police Department
Sgt. Brandon Talbot
Scott County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Lucas Tucker
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Sgt. Melissa Wartak
Bowling Green Police Department
Sgt. David Weathers
Wilmore Police Department
Sgt. Loren Yonts
Owensboro Police Department
The Department of Criminal Justice Training is a state agency located on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus. The agency is the first in the nation to be accredited under the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies’ public safety training program designation. DOCJT also earned accreditation through the International Association for Continuing Education and Training in 2013.
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 March, Gov. Beshear signed three pieces of legislation that support law enforcement and increase public safety. Senate Bill 89 allows reemployment of retired individuals as police officers from the Police and Fire Retirement Fund; House Bill 380 expands the eligibility of potential peace officers to include individuals who are not yet 21 years of age but will reach this statutory requirement by the time certification is completed; and House Bill 540 increases the number of peace officers in the commonwealth’s private and parochial schools as well as public schools creating consistency of expectations across different types of schools. Due to this bipartisan effort, Kentucky is now able to increase recruitment of peace officers throughout the commonwealth and create a safe learning environment for all students to thrive, grow and reach their dreams.
To further increase the safety of Kentucky’s children the Governor signed legislation that strengthens child abuse, neglect and human trafficking reporting requirements, clarifies the legal definition of incest and ensures that registered sex offenders cannot come within 1,000 feet of a high school, middle school, elementary school, preschool, publicly owned or leased playground, or licensed day care facility.
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.
The bipartisan state budget signed by Gov. Beshear and enacted last year 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 2022, 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 2022, 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 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.
During the 2022 legislative session, Gov. Beshear 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.
