(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – Sixty-five recruits from throughout the Commonwealth and four other states reported to the Kentucky State Police Academy in Frankfort on Monday to begin 23 weeks of training that will determine whether they have what it takes to join “The Thin Gray Line.”
The first day’s activities included a variety of physical fitness tests such as weight lifting, sit-ups, push-ups, a 300 meter run and a 1-1/2 mile run.
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.
“Law enforcement is an extremely demanding job in today’s fast-paced world and it presents more challenges every day,” says Capt. Fred Williams, commander of the KSP Academy. “Our rigorous training standards reflect this reality. Historically, 35 percent of the cadets do not complete the program.”
Sixteen of the cadets have bachelor’s degrees and seven have associate’s degrees. Sixteen have military experience and 12 have previous law enforcement experience.
Fifty-nine of the cadets are male and six are females. Three are Hispanic and two are African-Americans.
Two of the cadets are from Ohio. One is from Alabama, one is from Illinois and one is from Michigan.
Geographically, the cadets represent 51 counties throughout Kentucky. Five are from Pikeville. There are three from Lexington and three from London. Harlan, Mount Sterling, Richmond, Somerset and Stanford are represented by two cadets each.
The class is tentatively scheduled to graduate on October 28, 2016.
Applicants interested in future cadet classes should download the KSP mobile app or visit http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/
, click on the Career Opportunities, Recruitment Home and How to Become a Kentucky State Trooper links. Information on both sites 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.
