Recruits Return to DOCJT for Basic Training

The Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) announced Tuesday that law enforcement recruits from Class 511 may return to campus on June 28 to complete the Law Enforcement Basic Training Academy.

“There are 35 recruits in Class 511 from agencies spanning the Commonwealth who are needed in their communities to serve and protect as certified, fully-trained law enforcement officers,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “We are carefully and cautiously returning this class to campus. DOCJT is committed to safely reopening and following CDC guidelines and the Governor’s Healthy at Work recommendations, as we move through this battle against the novel coronavirus.”

Recruits in Class 511 had seven weeks of training remaining to complete the 20-week requirement for graduation when DOCJT closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DOCJT staff have worked diligently with the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and the Governor’s Office to provide a safe and healthy environment.

Key steps implemented for the safe return of recruits include: recruits will be assigned to individual dorm rooms, masks will be required, meals will be boxed by cafeteria and consumed in dorm rooms, a single point of entry into the facility will be designated, common areas will be closed, temperatures will be taken and symptoms assessed daily, any symptomatic recruits will be removed from training and return upon recovery following state isolation guidelines. The basic training academy schedule for the remainder of the year will be made available on DOCJT’s website.

In-Service Training

State law dictates that Kentucky law enforcement officers complete a minimum of 40 hours of in-service training annually. DOCJT has taken proactive measures to develop this year’s in-service training curriculum in light of demands for change across the nation. The 8-hour course, which is available to all Kentucky peace officers, will be completed online and cover several topics, including implicit bias, the use of force, deadly force and firearm deployment, moral decision making, civil rights laws and community oriented policing.

“These topics have always been available for peace officers to take as part of their in-service curriculum,” said Commissioner Jilek. “The difference this year is that we are emphasizing these course topics and the training will be completed online.”

Once the course is open for registration, participants may register through DOCJT’s ACADIS portal.

DOCJT is in consultation with the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and Gov. Beshear to consider a possible waiver of the 32 training hours that remain upon completion of the 8-hour online course. An announcement regarding the waiver will be provided via DOCJT’s website and social media once an official decision has been reached.