26 New Law Enforcement Officers Ready To Protect Their Communities
On June 13, 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.
“The commonwealth is lucky to have public servants of your caliber, and we thank you for your diligence to creating safer communities and serving your fellow Kentuckians,” said Gov. Beshear. “My family and I are praying for you and your safety, and we wish you a fulfilling career.”
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 548 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 26 graduating law enforcement officers are now ready to wear the badge along with the other 1,441 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.
“Over the last 20 weeks you have listened earnestly to the training and guidance from your class coordinator and instructors here at DOCJT, in preparation of the great task ahead of you,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “I urge you to remember their instruction and commit the skills taught to heart.”
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 to make each of Kentucky’s communities safer.
Class 548 graduates and their agencies are:
Joshua T. Bailey
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Christopher T. Baldwin
McKee Police Department
Dustin T. Cooper
Fleming County Sheriff’s Office
Kyle A. Creek
Simpsonville Police Department
Ethan D. Dunn
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
James M. Englebright
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office
River C. Farrow
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Hagen D. Frye
Nicholasville Police Department
Rodney S. Haddix
Boone County Sheriff’s Office
Courtney L. Harkless
Covington Police Department
Adam K. Hewett
Liberty Police Department
Mitchell R. King
Glasgow Police Department
Cody L. Lowe
Morehead Police Department
Abram G. Maitland
Springfield Police Department
Douglas B. Moore
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Jeremy E. Nichols
Jefferson County Schools Police Department
Andrew T. Peach
Lawrenceburg Police Department
Easton R. Pilyer
Boone County Sheriff’s Office
Joshua N. Proctor
Glasgow Police Department
Daniel D. Reed
Laurel County Sheriff’s Office
Brian J. Richardson
Jefferson County Schools Police Department
Ryan J. Sears
Hopkinsville Police Department
William P. Skaggs
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Daniel W. Taylor
McCreary County Sheriff’s Office
Matthew W. Wright
Owsley County Sheriff’s Office
Nathan P. Yancer
Radcliff 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.
In December 2023, the Governor proposed a $500 increase to the law enforcement annual training stipend, but the General Assembly chose to provide a combined $262 increase over the next two years. The budget signed by the Governor raises the training stipend to an all-time high of $4,562 by fiscal year 2026. Additionally, the Governor is providing part-time law enforcement officers an annual training stipend for the first time in the history of the commonwealth.
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 2023, 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.
