Gov. Beshear, Department of Criminal Justice Training Announce 25 Graduates of Public Safety Dispatch Academy Class 161
On December 13, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) announced that 23 law enforcement officers from agencies across Kentucky graduated from the Criminal Justice Executive Development Program (CJED) Class 31. CJED is an advanced leadership course designed for supervisors of small to medium-sized law enforcement agencies.
“The skills you’ve learned through this course will not only benefit you and your agencies but will build a new Kentucky home where public safety is a top priority,” Gov. Beshear said. “Thank you for your continued commitment to serving and protecting all Kentuckians.”
CJED is a four-week, 168-hour program that focuses on identifying, analyzing, and solving problems as well as leadership, personnel administration, operations, fiscal management, executive and environmental relationships.
The purpose of the course is to provide students with the academic background, leadership skills and management techniques required for the future. Each session enhances leadership abilities and encourages the development of visionary thinkers.
“Take what you’ve learned and return to your agencies knowing that you will make a difference in people’s lives,” DOCJT Commissioner Mike Bosse said. “I wish you continued success in your careers.”
To take part in CJED, potential students must be supervisors who rank sergeant or above. They must apply for entrance into the program and be selected by a committee of CJED graduates from across the commonwealth.
Class 161 graduates and their agencies are:
Jessica D. Allen
Grayson County 911
Jordan D. Black
Jessamine County 911
Alexandra K. Brinks
Georgetown Police Department
Caleb D. Crockett
Bath County 911
Michael Cruz
Owensboro Police Department
Patrick W. Cunningham
Owensboro Police Department
Harlie Curry
Paducah-McCracken County E-911
Christopher R. Duff
Perry County 911
Emili P. Edgington
Bluegrass 911 Central Communications
Abby Hardin
Scottsville Police Department
Teghan T. Hurd
Burkesville Police Department
Dakota Kilburn
London-Laurel County Communications
Tiffany R. Kruse
Muhlenberg County 911
Clara Dalene Logsdon
Grayson County
Jennifer Mays
Lexington Enhanced 911
AnMary M. Messenger
Lexington Enhanced 911
Elijah D. Noble
Campbell County Dispatch
Breanna Nicole O’Keefe
Nelson County E-911
Teala R. Owens
Livingston County 911
Courtney T. Payne
Bluegrass 911 Central Communications
Brittany N. Ramsey
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Sally Ann Rios
Springfield/Washington County E-911
Lisa A. Selph
Campbell County Dispatch
Peyton M. Vittitoe
Georgetown Police Department
Matthew G. Walker
Blue Grass Airport Department of Public Safety
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 September, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the historic expansion of law enforcement basic training into Western Kentucky. The Department of Criminal Justice Training is launching a two-phase project to provide immediate, improved access to law enforcement training. Phase one will begin in February 2025 with a class of 24 recruits who will attend Basic Training in a Madisonville non-residential academy. The first phase is made possible because of robust partnerships with the city of Madisonville, which is providing facilities for the launch. Phase two includes the construction of administrative classroom and multipurpose training buildings funded by the $50 million legislative allotment to construct a Western Kentucky DOCJT campus.
Since taking office, Gov. Andy Beshear has awarded nearly $12 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies with enhancing public and officer safety, curbing the sale of illegal drugs and fighting addiction. As the administration remains committed to removing illicit drugs and further decreasing drug overdose deaths, in September, Gov. Beshear awarded more than $1.7 million in grant funding to Kentucky’s law enforcement, drug task forces and nonprofit organizations to purchase critical resources, provide drug prevention programming to community residents, offer counseling to crime victims, ensure officers receive specialized training and work with individuals leaving incarceration for successful reentry skills.
Last year, 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.
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.
