31 New Law Enforcement Officers Ready to Protect Their Communities
On December 8, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 31 law enforcement officers from agencies across the state have graduated the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s (DOCJT) basic training academy. These law enforcement officers will now serve and protect the commonwealth to create safer communities.
“Your commitment and determination to serve the commonwealth is honorable, and we are grateful that you have chosen this selfless profession,” Gov. Beshear said. “We are excited to see the good things you will do in your communities and pray for a safe and healthy career for each of you.”
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 533 received 800 hours of recruit-level instruction over 20 weeks. Major training areas include 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.
The everchanging nature of public safety and protection requires DOCJT to remain on the cutting edge of law enforcement training practices. This includes providing officers and recruits with latest technology training and legal information available to protect the diverse communities they serve. Advancements in training, facilities and instruction are made often, allowing DOCJT trainers and trainees to have the most possible resources at their disposal.
Today’s 31 graduating law enforcement officers are now ready to wear the badge of honor along with the other 1,007 Kentuckians who have completed their basic training since December 2019. They will work together to create a commonwealth that is safer for all Kentuckians now and into the future.
“Today you leave this academy and have earned more than the honor of carrying a badge,” DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek said. “You now carry with you 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.”
The Beshear-Coleman Administration is proud to welcome the 31 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 of making each of Kentucky’s communities safer.
Class 533 graduates and their agencies are:
Mandie N. Appleman
Covington Police Department
Dakota H. Brady
Independence Police Department
Frank A. Brist
Georgetown Police Department
Brandon J. Brooks
Caneyville Police Department
Daniel R. Browning
Nicholasville Police Department
K-Ci Carmichael
University of Kentucky Police Department
Nikko J. Ciancanelli
Boone County Sheriff’s Office
Tex T. Claunch
Richmond Police Department
Christian M. Collins
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
Kevin DeFabritis
University of Kentucky Police Department
Anthony A. Fritsch
Covington Police Department
Sam W. Gilbert
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Mark A. Hoskins
University of Louisville Police Department
Michael Hurt
Paris Police Department
Timmy W. Jackson
Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
Joseph D. Johnson
Nicholasville Police Department
Alex Jones
McCreary County Sheriff’s Office
William K. Lykins
Georgetown Police Department
Hunter L. Miller
Leitchfield Police Department
Landon W. Mitchell
Princeton Police Department
Benjamin M. Nichols
Glasgow Police Department
Marco A. Ortiz-Guerrero
Mayfield Police Department
Clarence J. Reed
Harlan County Sheriff’s Office
Braden R. Riley
Central City Police Department
Ryan Rock
Cynthiana Police Department
Christopher M. Schwanenberger
Boone County Sheriff’s Office
Lucas S. Shelton
Nicholasville Police Department
Mason A. Smith
Covington Police Department
Langston A. Webb
University of Louisville Police Department
Dylan S. West
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office
Tycondi R. Whitaker
Leitchfield Police Department
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.
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 public safety actions already taken by the Governor are creating safer communities and a better Kentucky now and into the future.
The recently enacted bipartisan state budget signed by Gov. Beshear allows the commonwealth to take additional steps forward to make Kentucky a leader in public safety by enhancing law enforcement training, creating safer communities and improving the safety of both law enforcement officers and Kentuckians. In July, the Governor announced additional steps to enhance public and officer safety including funding for firearms training, Western Kentucky training facility, increased training stipend.
Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded almost $8 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies to purchase the tools and resources needed to not only protect our communities, but also ensure the safety of law enforcement as they work on the front lines each and every day. Recently, the administration announced nearly $2 million in grant funding to enhance public safety, curb the sale of illegal drugs and fight addiction.
In June, 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 branches of the U.S. Military 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 DOCJT.
Gov. Beshear has championed legislative action like Senate Bill 64 and House Bill 254, making it easier for law enforcement to conduct undercover stings and increase the chances of stopping a horrific crime against a child from being facilitated through the internet. These actions will also provide law enforcement officers with the authority to charge offenders with harsher crimes to keep them away from the public, preventing further interactions with Kentucky’s most vulnerable population.
