Gov. Beshear, Department of Criminal Justice Training Announce 22 Officers Graduate From Kentucky Crime Scene Technician Course
On October 10, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) announced that 22 crime scene investigators (CSIs) from across the commonwealth have graduated from the 2025 Kentucky Criminalistics Academy (KCA) Crime Scene Technician Course Class 10.
“Crime scene investigators are vital in supporting our law enforcement and providing justice for victims across our commonwealth,” Gov. Beshear said. “You have answered a call that will help build a safer New Kentucky Home, and for that, all of Kentucky thanks you.”
KCA is made up of two five-week, 200-hour courses for full-time and newly appointed CSIs and patrol officers who serve as CSIs for their agencies. In addition to sworn officers, KCA is open to civilian CSIs who work for law enforcement agencies.
“Your skills as law enforcement officers have been enhanced by completing this academy,” DOCJT Commissioner Mike Bosse said. “It reflects your dedication to the field. I wish you all the best as you continue your careers.”
KCA certification includes training in:
Digital photography
Advanced latent print development
Evidence collection and documentation
Latent fingerprint recognition and identification
Shooting scene reconstruction
Bloodstain pattern recognition and documentation
Post blast investigation
Forensic mapping
Computer crimes investigations
Forensic anthropological recovery course (University of Tennessee)
The KCA Class No. 10 graduates and their agencies are:
Jeffery Bessinger
Scottsville Police Department
Christopher Boone
Hillview Police Department
Chase Bowman
Nicholasville Police Department
Emma Burbrink
Louisville Metro Police Department
Allyson L. Cook
Hardin County Sheriff’s Office
Travis Davis
Todd County Sheriff’s Office
Scott Evely
Lexington Police Department
Evan B. Guilfoyle
Erlanger Police Department
Dalton T. Hayes
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
James C. Hobson
Pikeville Police Department
Brad Holloman
Kentucky State Police
Ryan W. Kilmer
Florence Police Department
Ethan Manley
Florence Police Department
Tai Nguyen
Lexington Police Department
Nicholas R. Paton
Frankfort Police Department
Kelsey Skaggs
Daviess County Sheriff’s Office
David R. Thompson
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Brandon S. Vance
Ft. Thomas Police Department
Zachary L. Vance
Highland Heights Police Department
Cheryl Vice
Louisville Metro Police Department
Benjamin E. Williams
Bowling Green Police Department
Trista Winebarger
Murray 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.
DOCJT is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA is seeking public input regarding DOCJT’s compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accredited status. Click here to submit comments.
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 Governor's public safety actions are creating safer communities and a better Kentucky.
In June, 21 officers graduated from the first basic training class from the Western Kentucky Law Enforcement Training Facility in Madisonville. The Beshear-Coleman administration welcomed the class in February. For the first time since basic training became mandatory in 1998, Kentucky is simultaneously offering training in two locations. The Department of Criminal Justice Training will train officers in a building provided by the Madisonville Police Department while Team Kentucky constructs a $50 million multipurpose training facility in Madisonville.
Recently, Gov. Andy Beshear was joined by members of the Cash family, the Kentucky law enforcement community and the Department of Criminal Justice Training to officially open the doors to the new law enforcement training facility named in honor of Jody Cash, who lost his life in the line of duty May 16, 2022, while serving as chief deputy of the Calloway County Sheriff’s Office. The Beshear administration broke ground on the Jody Cash Multipurpose Training Facility in July 2023. The facility is a 42,794-square-foot facility with a 50-yard, 30-lane firing range designed for officers to learn intensive and specialized training that will support training all of Kentucky’s law enforcement agencies.
Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded nearly $12 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies with enhancing public and officer safety, curbing the sale of illegal drugs and fighting addiction.
At the beginning of his second term, the Governor proposed a $500 increase to the law enforcement annual training stipend, but the General Assembly chose to provide a combined $262 increase over the next two years. The budget signed by the Governor raises the training stipend to an all-time high of $4,562 by fiscal year 2026. Additionally, the Governor is providing part-time law enforcement officers with an annual training stipend for the first time in the history of the commonwealth.
In June 2022, 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 U.S. military branches 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 their branch of the armed forces while they undergo law enforcement training at DOCJT.
