16 Officers Graduate From Second Class at Western Kentucky Basic Training Academy
On January 8, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 16 law enforcement officers from agencies across the commonwealth have graduated from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s (DOCJT) basic training academy in Madisonville. These law enforcement officers now return home to serve, protect and create a safer New Kentucky Home.
“You have answered the call to protect your communities and our commonwealth in such a noble way, and today starts the next chapter in that journey,” Gov. Beshear said. “Know that all of Team Kentucky is praying for you and your safety, and we are looking forward to the good we know you will do.”
Class 564 is the second to graduate from the Western Kentucky Law Enforcement Training Facility in Madisonville. In June 2025, 21 officers graduated from the first basic training class held in Western Kentucky. For the first time since basic training became mandatory in 1998, Kentucky is simultaneously offering training in two locations. DOCJT is training officers in a building provided by the Madisonville Police Department while Team Kentucky constructs a $50 million multipurpose training facility in Madisonville. Since opening in February 2025, 37 officers have graduated from the Western Kentucky academy.
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 564 received more than 800 hours of recruit-level instruction over 20 weeks. Major training areas included 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.
Since December 2019, the Beshear-Coleman administration has graduated 1,718 officers from the basic training academy. Today’s 16 graduating law enforcement officers will begin working with the 8,000 other officers of the commonwealth to create a commonwealth that is safer for all Kentuckians.
“During the past 20 weeks you have listened earnestly to the training and guidance from your class coordinator and instructors here at DOCJT,” said DOCJT Commissioner Mike Bosse. “I urge you to remember their instruction and commit the skills you take with you to heart. Their voices of experience will serve you well as you serve your community.”
The Beshear-Coleman administration is proud to welcome the 16 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.
