28 New Law Enforcement Officers Ready To Protect Their Communities
On August 29, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 28 law enforcement officers from agencies across the state have graduated from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s (DOCJT) basic training academy. These law enforcement officers now will return home to serve and protect the commonwealth and create safer communities.
“Join me in congratulating these officers and deputies on their accomplishment and commit to supporting them as they work to make their communities better,” Gov. Beshear said. “Answering the call for service is commendable, and on behalf of the commonwealth, we thank you for choosing this profession.”
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 550 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 28 graduating law enforcement officers are now ready to wear the badge along with the other 1,523 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 550,” 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 28 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 550 graduates and their agencies are:
Joshua M. Almasi
University of Kentucky Police Department
Aaron J. Baker
Elizabethtown Police Department
James C. Bradley
Paintsville Police Department
Jayden M. Eadens
Hillview Police Department
Justice C. England
Murray Police Department
Justin M. Golden
Radcliff Police Department
Bailey S. Igleheart
McLean County Sheriff’s Office
Garrett T. Jenkins
Elizabethtown Police Department
Delando L. Jones
Elizabethtown Police Department
Wyatt E. Marr
Scottsville Police Department
K. Ford Mills
Cincinnati/NKY Airport Police Department
Joshua C. Mynear
Carlisle Police Department
Christian T. Newberry
Hazard Police Department
Christopher Oquendo
Breckinridge County Sheriff’s Office
Michael E. Pearre, Jr.
Daviess County Sheriff’s Office
Tyler C. Perry
Elsmere Police Department
Tate D. Pringle
University of Louisville Police Department
Jeffery W. Proctor
Elizabethtown Police Department
Anthony A. Santana
University of Louisville Police Department
Alex Slaughter
Warren County Sheriff’s Office
Colton W. Starcher
Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office
Trae N. Talley
Elizabethtown Police Department
Mairkqus R. Thompson
Murray Police Department
Jeffrey L. Walker
Glasgow Police Department
Zachary R. Wareyko
Henderson Police Department
Jacob K. Wilcher
Harlan County Sheriff’s Office
Harley D. Wilkinson
Henderson Police Department
Brenda Zavaleta
Hopkinsville 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.
