Cadets complete more than 1,000 hours of training to strengthen the safety of Kentuckians

Frankfort, Ky — On Nov 18th, Governor Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) announced that 38 cadets have graduated the agency’s training academy and are now ready to report for duty across the commonwealth with a focus on creating a better and safer Kentucky.

“The Kentucky State Police has a long history of serving and protecting this great commonwealth, and I know that the troopers graduating today will continue to uphold this standard of excellence,” said Gov. Beshear. “Thank you for choosing to protect and serve Kentucky while asking for nothing in return – and we owe you our utmost gratitude.”

Cadets reported to the KSP training academy on June 5, 2022 to embark upon 24-weeks of intense training to learn the job skills necessary to perform the duties of a state trooper. Graduating cadets pledged to uphold the mission of KSP by promoting public safety through service, integrity and professionalism using partnerships to prevent, reduce and deter crime and the fear of crime, enhance highway safety through education and enforcement, safeguard property and protect individual rights.

KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. encouraged Cadet Class 102 to engage in their local communities to earn the trust and respect of the citizens they will serve.

“I challenge each of you to interact frequently with those in your designated post areas. Attend community events, stop by local stores, visit the schools, and so much more to earn the trust and respect of those you serve,” said Commissioner Burnett. “On Nov 18th, you have earned the title of trooper, but now you must live up to it.”

The KSP Training Academy provides cadets with best practices, the latest technology training and legal information to help make the commonwealth’s streets safer, communities stronger and the nation more secure through exceptional law enforcement. The graduates of Cadet Class 102 received more than 1,000 hours of classroom and field study in 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, electronic crimes, sex crimes, hate crimes, domestic violence, bomb threats and hazardous materials.

During Nov 18th’s graduation ceremony, KSP Academy Commander Captain Shawn Darby took a moment to share how Cadet Class 102 honored fallen troopers.

“Over the past 24 weeks, cadets have taken time to recognize all of KSP’s fallen troopers and officers through specially designed workouts that included repetition schemes significant to the service of each of the fallen units,” said Captain Darby. “Additionally, cadets recognized these heroes on their end of watch dates by gathering in front of the memorial and humbly reading their end of watch stories.”

Several members of the graduating class received special recognition during the ceremony.

Trooper Myron Jackson received the ‘Ernie Bivens Award’. This honor is presented to a cadet in each class who, in the opinion of the KSP Academy and fellow cadets, shows distinction as a leader, strives for academic excellence and has excelled in all phases of the academy’s physical and vocational training. Additionally, he received the class Valedictorian award, which includes a new 2022 police cruiser. The Salutatorian was awarded to Trooper Jordan Sammons.

Trooper Colby Amburgey received the ‘Commissioner’s Commitment to Excellence Award’. This is presented to the cadet who has demonstrated leadership, the desire to get the job done and is always determined to be the best every day.

Cadet Class 102 graduates and their assigned posts are: 

Post 1, MAYFIELD       
Lukas Rice, Mayfield, Ky.

Post 2, MADISONVILLE
Hunter Combs, Central City, Ky.

Post 3, BOWLING GREEN
Madison Akemon, McKee, Ky.
Landon Key, Glasgow, Ky.
Grant Robertson, Columbia, Ky.
Evan Smith, Annville, Ky.

Post 4, ELIZABETHTOWN
Samuel Bogner, Shelbyville, Ky.
Chase Shouse, Berea, Ky.

Post 5, CAMPBELLSBURG
Jake Noel, Port Royal, Ky.
Cameron Paynter, Sulphur, Ky.

Post 6, DRY RIDGE
Caleb Hamm, Nicholasville, Ky.
Zachary Loudermilk, Mt. Vernon, Ky.
Braxton Montgomery, Petersburg, Ky.

Post 7, RICHMOND
Adam Quiles, Miami, Fl.

Post 8, MOREHEAD
Jordan Barnett, Jackson, Ky.
Isaiah Bryant, Kite, Ky.
Cory Cornett, Wellington, Ky.
William Hall, Greathel, Ky.
Carolyn Henson, Richmond, Ky.
Myron Jackson, Nicholasville, Ky.
Jacob Williams, Harold, Ky.

Post 9, PIKEVILLE
Cameron Whitaker, Jenkins, Ky.
Tanner Wood, Pikeville, Ky.

Post 10, HARLAN
Colby Amburgey, Garner, Ky.
John Hoskins, London, Ky.
Elizabeth Smith, Manchester, Ky.

Post 12, FRANKFORT
Jude Remilien, Haiti, Port-au-Prince

Post 14, ASHLAND
Chase Coverdale, Louisa, Ky.
Brett Criswell, Louisa, Ky.
Colton Cross, Canada, Ky.
Christin Mitchell, Prestonsburg, Ky.
Jordan Sammons, Belfry, Ky.
Zachary Wright, Louisa, Ky.

Post 15, COLUMBIA
Trey Binder, Georgetown, Ky.
Matthew Lee, Somerset, Ky.
Timothy Moore, Somerset, Ky.
Daniel Pierce, Edmonton, Ky.

Post 16, HENDERSON
William Dalton, Scottsville, Ky.

Thirteen cadets earned their associate degree in General Occupational and Technical Studies from the Bluegrass Community and Technical College during their 24-weeks at the training academy. These cadets benefited from the new hiring guidelines established by the state legislature in 2017. Through this revision, anyone who possesses a high school diploma or GED, and has three years of full-time work experience can apply for employment as a KSP Trooper and earn an associate’s degree during the training process.

Cadet Class 102 graduates who earned an associate’s degree are:
Madison Akemon, McKee, Ky.
Brett Criswell, Louisa, Ky.
William Hall, Greathel, Ky.
Caleb Hamm, Nicholasville, Ky.
Myron Jackson, Nicholasville, Ky.
Matthew Lee, Somerset, Ky.
Timothy Moore, Somerset, Ky.
Cameron Paynter, Sulphur, Ky.
Daniel Pierce, Edmonton, Ky.
Jake Noel, Port Royal, Ky.
Jordan Sammons, Belfry, Ky.
Chase Shouse, Berea, Ky.
Zachary Wright, Louisa, Ky.

KSP’s recruitment branch is currently accepting applications for the upcoming cadet class 103, which is slated to begin February 26, 2023. The deadline to apply is by close of business November 25.

For more information about career opportunities with KSP visit the website.

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. Andy 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 that will not only allow them to protect our communities but will also ensure their own safety as they stand on the front lines 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 Oct., the administration took another step forward in creating safer communities by awarding more than $350,000 in grant funding to prevent youth crime across the commonwealth.

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.

In April, the Governor signed into law two pieces of legislation recently passed by the General Assembly to make historic investments in law enforcement by providing funds to KSP to recruit, train and retain the essential workforce needed to continue to provide the highest level of security to all Kentuckians. House Bill 259 ensures that all troopers will receive a $15,000 raise. Additionally, KSP’s starting pay for sworn officers will increase from $37,887 to $55,888 annually. By signing Senate Bill 209, Gov. Beshear established paid vacation, sick leave and holiday pay, as well as enhanced health insurance contribution payments for retired KSP troopers and CVE officers.

Also, as the Governor recommended in January 2022, $12.2 million was included in the state budget for KSP to purchase body cameras, which is the first time in the commonwealth’s history that funding has been allocated for this much-needed expense.

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.