26 New Law Enforcement Officers Ready to Protect Their Communities
On August 31, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 26 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.
“Congratulations to today’s graduates who have dedicated themselves to 20 weeks of extensive basic training,” said Gov. Beshear. “Our commonwealth is a better, safer place because these individuals have answered the call to service. Thank you for protecting your communities and our children’s future.”
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 541 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 26 graduating law enforcement officers are now ready to wear the badge of honor along with the other 1,252 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 26 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 541 graduates and their agencies are:
Elisha D. Amsler
Frankfort Police Department
Dwight A. Blanton
Greenup County Sheriff’s Office
Jerome Bullock, Jr.
Univ. of Louisville P.D.
Austin B. Dupree
Florence Police Department
Justin A. Hansford
Breckinridge County Sheriff’s Office
Kevin K. Hayes-Taylor
Jefferson County Schools P.D.
Brian S. Hillman
Morgan County Sheriff’s Office
Wayne Mays
Bath County Sheriff’s Office
Slade A. McConnell
Webster County Sheriff’s Office
Jacob R. Morrison
Cincinnati/N.KY Airport P.D.
Mason Parker
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Ryan Phillips
Frankfort Police Department
Aaron J. Pinkstaff
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Ronald R. Rathman
Ballard County Sheriff’s Office
Ross C. Roderick
Glasgow Police Department
Austin K. Rushing
McCracken County Sheriff’s Office
Jonathan D. Settelen
Frankfort Police Department
Noah L. Settles
Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Michael D. Smith
Nicholas County Sheriff’s Office
Brian M. Sullivan, Jr.
Mayfield Police Department
Brian C. Taylor
Louisville Regional Airport Authority
Shelby R. Taylor
Louisa Police Department
Paul M. Wagner
Campbell County P.D.
Evan H. Whitis
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office
Lee J. Winslow
Frankfort Police Department
Corey D. Zelensky
Covington 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.
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.
