Gov. Beshear Announces First Graduating Class of Western Kentucky Law Enforcement Training Facility
On June 18, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) celebrated a significant milestone by graduating 21 law enforcement officers from the agency’s inaugural basic training class in Western Kentucky.
The facility and the 21 officers who graduated today are a testament to the administration’s pledge to make Kentucky a national leader in public safety while ensuring those who protect the commonwealth have the tools and resources available to stay safe.
“Congratulations to the officers who are graduating today. They have set high standards for law enforcement training and those who will come after them in Western Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “Their dedication and determination to serve their fellow Kentuckians are commendable, and I ask the commonwealth to join me in praying for their safety as they work to enhance public safety for future generations.”
On Feb. 28, the Governor was joined by state and local officials and law enforcement personnel to welcome the first basic training academy class to Western Kentucky, which consisted of 23 officers serving with 17 different law enforcement agencies. Of the 23 officers who joined Class 558-W, 21 completed the state-mandated 20 weeks of basic training, which included more than 800 hours of instruction in major training areas: 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.
Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson attended the ceremony on behalf of Gov. Beshear, where he thanked the officers for answering the call to service to protect the more than 4 million Kentuckians who call the commonwealth home and the millions who visit the state every year.
“As a former first responder myself, I know what it feels like to report to duty,” Secretary Jackson said. “You walk out the front door not knowing if you will return home that day, but you do it anyway because you believe in something bigger than yourself. You believe in the common good; you believe in a better tomorrow; and you believe that you can create a New Kentucky Home with less crime, addiction, fear and sadness for our future generations. You do this because you are a hero. Thank you for your service.”
“Class 558-W, you have laid the first bricks of what will be a successful career in law enforcement,” DOCJT Commissioner Mike Bosse said. “You now carry the responsibility of serving with honor, integrity, fairness and transparency. Take this responsibility to heart, and the people you protect will see how much you care.”
“Being part of the first class in Madisonville means we made history,” said Class 558-W leader Christopher Vessels with the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office. “Not only do we set the standard for future classes, but it also means a lot to be close to home and the communities we serve while attending training.”
For many years, officers from every county in the commonwealth have traveled to Richmond to receive basic training. For the first time since training became mandatory in 1998, Kentucky is simultaneously offering training in two locations. The Department of Criminal Justice Training is training officers in a building provided by the Madisonville Police Department while Team Kentucky constructs a $50 million multipurpose training facility in Madisonville.
The Richmond campus graduates an average of 10 basic training classes each year, resulting in approximately 300 new officers ready to serve communities across Kentucky annually. With the addition of the Western Kentucky facility, two more classes will graduate each year, increasing the total number of new officers to around 350. Once the multipurpose facility in Madisonville is complete, the agency will be able to graduate approximately 150 to 200 additional officers per year, enhancing public and officer safety.
Since December 2019, the Beshear-Coleman administration has graduated 2,042 officers from the basic training academy. Today’s 21 graduating law enforcement officers will begin working with the 8,000 other officers across the state to create a commonwealth that is safer for all Kentuckians.
