Criminal Justice Executive Development Program Graduates 24 Kentucky Leaders

Feb 16

Feb 16 Criminal Justice Executive Development Program Graduates 24 Kentucky Leaders

On February 16, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) announced that 24 law enforcement officers from agencies across Kentucky graduated from the Criminal Justice Executive Development Program (CJED) Class 30. CJED is an advanced leadership course designed for supervisors of small to medium-sized law enforcement agencies.

“Your commitment to leading your fellow officers is exemplary, and I know the work you have done over these past four weeks has prepared you to continue leading with honor and integrity,” Gov. Beshear said. “Thank you for all you do, not only for your agency, but for all of Kentucky.”

CJED is a four-week, 168-hour program that focuses on identifying, analyzing, and solving problems as well as leadership, personnel administration, operations, fiscal management, executive and environmental relationships.

The purpose of the course is to provide students with the academic background, leadership skills and management techniques required for the future. Each session enhances leadership abilities and encourages the development of visionary thinkers.

“I congratulate you on completing this advanced leadership course,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “I am excited for all of you to now take this knowledge back to your departments and use it to encourage and strengthen the ranks you lead.”

To take part in CJED, potential students must be supervisors who rank sergeant or above. They must apply for entrance into the program and be selected by a committee of CJED graduates from across the commonwealth.

CJED 30 graduates and their agencies are:

James Ayres
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport Police Department

Nicholas Blank
Highland Heights Police Department

Joshua Bornhorn
Covington Police Department

Casey Botkin
Berea Police Department

Jimmy Daniels
Mt. Sterling Police Department

Jeremiah Davis
Lexington Police Department

Lisa Dollins
Danville Police Department

Kimberly Dornheggen
Kenton County Emergency Communications Center

Michael Elliott
Bowling Green Police Department

Travis Hager
Independence Police Department

Joshua Haggard
Covington Police Department

Aaron Hamilton
Owensboro Police Department

Damon Jewell
Louisville Regional Airport Police Department

Kenneth Keith
Frankfort Police Department

Brian Kitchens
Warren County Sheriff’s Office

Mitchell Lair
Georgetown Police Department

Wendy Lynch
Madison County Emergency Communications Center

Jeff Owens
Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training

Daniel Potts
Independence Police Department

Erica Schrand
Ft. Mitchell Police Department

Andrew Staggs
Nicholasville Police Department

John Vollet
Taylor Mill Police Department

Travis Watson
Paducah Police Department

Ryan Willcutt
McCracken County Sheriff’s Office

DOCJT 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 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.

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.

In December, the Governor announced the Forward, Together budget proposal which will continue boosting public and officer safety. The proposed budget includes a $2,500 raise for all KSP troopers and officers and enough funding to add 150 more troopers over the next two years. This raise follows the $18,800 raise Gov. Beshear secured for all troopers and officers during the previous budget session. Gov. Beshear’s budget also includes increasing the law enforcement training stipend yet again, improving the pension system for state and local law enforcement and grant funding for local law enforcement agencies to purchase body armor.

Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded more than $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 August, the administration awarded $2.1 million in grant funding to enhance public safety, curb the sale of illegal drugs and fight addiction.

In July 2023, 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.

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.