25 New Law Enforcement Officers Ready to Protect Their Communities
On January 26, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 25 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.
“The commonwealth is grateful to have public servants of your caliber,” Gov. Beshear said. “I congratulate you on your diligence and sacrifice to receive the highest level of training to be the best for your community, friends, family and state.”
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 534 received more than 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 25 graduating law enforcement officers are now ready to wear the badge of honor along with the other 1,032 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.
“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 Nicolai Jilek. “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 25 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 534 graduates and their agencies are:
Colton W. Baker
Owensboro Police Department
Andrew W. Bernard
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport Police Department
Albert B. Bryant
Shively Police Department
Logan M. Burriss
Vanceburg Police Department
Hunter M. Couch
Boone County Sheriff’s Office
Lukas K. Gabbard
Madison County Sheriff’s Office
Oscar E. Guevara
Frankfort Police Department
Johnathan A. Hanlin
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Corey D. Harr
Lewis County Sheriff’s Office
Jonathan Hicks
Scott County Sheriff’s Office
Nicholas J. Kendall
Campbell County Police Department
Joseph A. Kinslow
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Jacob D. Niggemeyer
Worthington Police Department
Scott M. Oswald
Warren County Sheriff’s Office
Ryan W. Ottino
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport Police Department
Mark R. Richardson
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Peter Scherm
Hopkinsville Police Department
Sean M. Sinacori
Covington Police Department
Jacob D. Smith
Campbell County Police Department
Chadwick D. Spence
Raceland Police Department
Evan M. Stevens
Boone County Sheriff’s Office
Zachery J. Stinson
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Joshua S. Velasco
Laurel County Sheriff’s Office
Logan J. Watts
Daviess County Sheriff’s Office
Cameron D. Weaver
Owensboro Police Department
Billy G. Welch
Georgetown 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.
