Providing a lifeline to citizens and law enforcement officers
RICHMOND, Ky. (March 17, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) announced that 25 dispatchers from across the state graduated from the Public Safety Dispatch Academy and are now ready to begin answering the call to provide assistance and assurance to both citizens and law enforcement officers of the commonwealth.
“Your commitment to your community and the commonwealth is honorable,” Gov. Beshear said. “You are the lifeline to those who are experiencing the roughest moments of their lives. Thank you for answering the call to serve and being the calm voice in the winds of chaos.”
Dispatch basic training is mandatory for any sworn or civilian employee who will dispatch law enforcement officers by radio at a Criminal Justice Information Systems agency. Graduates of the academy have successful completed a highly structured and comprehensive curriculum to satisfy mandated training requirements. The graduates of Class 148 received 164 hours of academy instruction to satisfy these requirements over four weeks. Major training areas include identifying the role and responsibilities of the dispatcher, correct phone and radio procedures, handling emergency and non-emergency calls for service, emergency medical dispatch protocols and use of the state and national criminal databases.
“Choosing to become a member of a time-honored profession is admirable,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “It carries with it a commitment of honor and professionalism. I thank you for your commitment and wish you the best of luck in your careers.”
DOCJT is a state agency located on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus. The agency is the first in the nation to be accredited under the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies’ public safety training program designation.
Class 148 graduates and their agencies are:
Kylreece G. Brown, Hazard Police Department
Maci Dean Breeden, Carrollton Police Department
Alanna B. Claywell, Bowling Green Police Department
Shelby Rae Cooper, Cynthiana-Harrison County E-911
Mahala D. Crider, Hickman County Dispatch
Christine Emily Downs, Marion-Crittenden County E-911
Kaitlyn Renae Gumm, Barren-Metcalfe ECC
Barnetta A. Jennings, Lexington Enhanced 911
Kylee S. Kendall, Kenton County ECC
Mytaya Treneese Knight, Fulton County Dispatch
Clarence R. Madison, II, Fayette County Schools Police Department
Michael Chad McAllister, Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office
Michael Seth McQueary, Pulaski County 911
Kimberly A. Nader, Lexington Enhanced 911
Shelby Madison Powell, Bluegrass 911 Central Communications Center
Andrew Pursley, Owensboro Police Department
Autumn Faith Roberson, Bath County 911
Kayla Bethanie Saupe, Trigg County E-911
Holly Page Simpson, Monroe County E-911
Carolyn Stalvey, Lawrence County 911
Stephanie Standridge, Oak Grove Police Department
Caleb Randall Stringer, Jessamine County E-911
Brayden Tolliver, Boone County PSCC
Tera N. Wardrip, Breckinridge County Dispatch