(FRANKFORT, Ky.) - Sixty-four recruits from throughout the Commonwealth and five other states have reported to the Kentucky State Police Academy in Frankfort to begin 23 weeks of training that will determine whether they have what it takes to join "The Thin Gray Line."
The first class of cadets to both live and train at the newly dedicated Kentucky State Police Academy in Frankfort reported to start 23 weeks of training on May 24, 2015. They are scheduled to graduate on Oct. 30, 2015.
"Although we have used this facility for training classes during the past several years, this will be the first group of cadets to both live and train on the site," says KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer. "This will boost the effectiveness and efficiency of our training by providing a more focused environment with fewer distractions."
For the past 32 years, the KSP Academy has been located on the top floor of the agency's headquarters located at 919 Versailles Road in Frankfort, a converted hotel building. It was in a high-traffic area, provided no room for growth and required cadets to travel off site for some activities. The new facility will allow for a more centralized approach with less travel time and expense.
"During the past three years we have refurbished this facility using both internal and external resources," says KSP Capt. David Jude, commander of the academy. "We now have a modern academy in a secluded area where cadets can train indoors year around."
During the 23-weeks of training, the cadets will complete more than 1,000 hours of classroom and field study that includes subjects such as constitutional law, juvenile and traffic law, use of force, weapons training, defensive tactics, first aid, high speed vehicle pursuit, criminal investigation, computer literacy, hostage negotiations, evidence collection, radio procedures, search and seizure, crash investigation, drug identification, traffic control, crowd control, armed robbery response, land navigation, electronic crimes, sex crimes, hate crimes, domestic violence, bomb threats and hazardous materials.
"The cadets will have to prove themselves daily to earn the right to wear the badge and uniform of a Kentucky State Trooper," says Jude.
"Not all of the recruits will complete the training course," he adds. "Historically, 35 percent of the cadets do not complete the program."
"Law enforcement is an extremely demanding job in today's fast-paced world and it presents more challenges every day," Jude notes. "Our rigorous training standards reflect this reality."
Nineteen of the cadets have bachelor's degrees and seven have associate's degrees. Eighteen have military experience and seven have previous law enforcement experience.
Geographically, the cadets represent 44 communities throughout Kentucky. Four are from Richmond. Campbellsville, Prestonsburg and Williamsburg are represented by three cadets each. Corbin, Hazard and London are represented by two cadets each.
The following Kentucky communities are each represented by one cadet: Adolphus, Argillite, Barbourville, Bardstown, Benton, Berea, Brandenburg, Central City, Dana, Danville, Dry Ridge, Elizabethtown, Fisherville, Franklin, Georgetown, Greensburg, Harlan, Hazard, Inez, Jackson, Kevil, Leitchfield, Lexington, McKee, Middlesboro, Morehead, Monticello, Mt. Washington, New Castle, Nicholasville, Paint Lick, Pikeville, Pippa Passes, Raccoon, Russell Springs, Somerset, Topmost and Whitley City.
Three cadets are from Tennessee. One is from Illinois, one from Indiana, one from Michigan and one from Ohio.
The class is tentatively scheduled to graduate on Oct. 30, 2015.
"We continually strive to keep our ranks up to strength in order to effectively cover the state's 120 counties," says Brewer. "We are grateful that Gov. Beshear and the legislature continues our funding at a level that permits the training of new troopers to serve and protect the citizens of the Commonwealth."
Applicants interested in future cadet classes should visit www.kentuckystatepolice.org<http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/>, click on the Career Opportunities, Recruitment Home and How to Become a Kentucky State Trooper links. Information at the site includes an outline of the application process, a list of minimum requirements and disqualifications, a downloadable application form with a list of supporting documents required and a downloadable study guide for the written test.
If more information is needed after visiting the website, applicants can call toll-free 1-866-360-3165 during office hours from 8 am- 4:30 pm (ET) Monday through Friday or leave a message any other time.
