29 New Law Enforcement Officers Ready To Protect Their Communities
On April 18, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 29 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 congratulate these officers and deputies on their accomplishment and commend them for answering this most noble of calls,” Gov. Beshear said. “We send them our support for the work they will do in the communities they serve.”
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 547 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 resources at their disposal.
Today’s 29 graduating law enforcement officers are now ready to wear the badge along with the other 1,415 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 shown by Class 547,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “I am confident in the professional service they will offer the citizens they protect across the commonwealth.”
The Beshear-Coleman administration is proud to welcome the 29 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 547 graduates and their agencies are:
William C. Ahart Jr.
Trigg Co. Sheriff's Office
Jordan Bussell
Covington P.D.
Dalton Campbell
Irvine P.D.
Spencer M. Cash
Russell P.D.
Tanner M. Conley
Ashland P.D.
Benjamin V. Dawson
Versailles P.D.
Braxton C. Faith
Meade Co. Sheriff's Office
Jecorey Lee Andre Fields
Harlan P.D.
Thomas I. Finke
Ludlow P.D.
Oscar L. Garcia
Shelby Co. Sheriff's Office
Tracy L. Gates
Versailles P.D.
Matthew W. Goshorn
Bellefonte P.D.
Austin T. Harris
Casey Co. Sheriff's Office
Caleb G. Heitzman
Springfield P.D.
Hunter M. Hicks
Flemingsburg P.D.
Hunter M. Lacks
Russell P.D.
Silas Liess
Mason Co. Sheriff's Office
Dylan T. McClard
Allen Co. Sheriff's Office
Zachary J. Mohring
Cincinnati/N. KY Airport P.D.
Kenneth J. Montoya
Louisville Regional Airport P.D.
Christopher S. Moore
Flemingsburg P.D.
Brian A. Myers
Muhlenberg Co. Sheriff's Office
Hunter B. Plunkett
Erlanger P.D.
Nicholas J. Rathbone
Cynthiana P.D.
Jesse A. Reinhardt
Pendleton Co. Sheriff's Office
Tanner B. Reneer
Hopkinsville P.D.
Jacob D. Southworth
Carrollton P.D.
William J. Stone
Webster Co. Sheriff's Office
Alex H. VanHook
Muhlenberg Co. Sheriff's Office
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.
In December 2023, the Governor announced his Forward, Together budget proposal, which will continue to boost public and officer safety. The proposed budget 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 Department. Members of the Cash family, as well as state and local officials and staff from the DOCJT, 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.
