34 New Law Enforcement Officers Ready To Protect Their Communities

Feb 8

Feb 8 34 New Law Enforcement Officers Ready To Protect Their Communities

On February 8, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 34 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 these officers and deputies on their outstanding accomplishment,” Gov. Beshear said. “We send them our support for the work they will do in the communities they have volunteered to serve and protect, and we pray for their safety daily.”

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 545 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 the 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 34 graduating law enforcement officers are now ready to wear the badge along with the other 1,357 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 appreciate the commitment from Class 545,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “I am confident in the professional service they will provide to all Kentuckians across the commonwealth’s 120 counties.”

The Beshear-Coleman Administration is proud to welcome the 34 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 to make each of Kentucky’s communities safer.

Class 545 graduates and their agencies are:

Cobi E. Allgeier-Mitts
Florence Police Department

Schenitta S. Baker
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office

Tyler A. Ballard
Owensboro Police Department

Austin L. Blevins
Elizabethtown Police Department

Andrew D. Brewer
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office

Matthew Grant Bryant
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office

Trevor J. Collins
Covington Police Department

Elam M. Coots
Henderson Police Department

Dallas Dukes
Hartford Police Department

Jordan M. Englehardt
Henderson Police Department

Joseph C. Garland
Mt. Sterling Police Department

James O. Goodman
Irvington Police Department

Adam W. Graybeal
Elkhorn City Police Department

Jordan L. Hawkins
Richmond Police Department

Noah A. Howell
Henderson Police Department

Rodney Blake Huff
Richmond Police Department

Brandon R. Hunt
Owensboro Police Department

Jana V. Jarvis
Richmond Police Department

Alexander K. Johnson
Elizabethtown Police Department

Brandon Jones
Perry County Sheriff’s Office

Matthew D. Loringer
University of Kentucky Police Department

Cody M. March
Greenup County Sheriff’s Office

Robert H. McKnight
Newport Police Department

Justin M. Millay
Owensboro Police Department

David A. Morgan
Burkesville Police Department

Sergio Ramirez-Morales
Newport Police Department

Jackson G. Sora
Covington Police Department

Christopher J. Spears
Henderson County Sheriff’s Office

Zachary B. Traugott
Versailles Police Department

Truman A. Waddell
Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office

Paul G. Warren
Owensboro Police Department

Henry L. Waters II
Elizabethtown Police Department

Megan R. Wear
Newport Police Department

Richard P. Winburn
Irvington 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 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.