Graduates complete more than 800 hours of training to strengthen the safety of the commonwealth’s citizens
RICHMOND, Ky. (March 13, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 39 law enforcement officers from agencies across the commonwealth have graduated from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s (DOCJT) basic training academy. These law enforcement officers now return home to serve and protect Kentucky and create safer communities.
“Congratulations for achieving the first step in your law enforcement career and obtaining the critical training necessary to perform your duties safely and effectively,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Your impact on the security and wellbeing of Kentucky families is immeasurable, and First Lady Britainy Beshear and I are grateful for what you do to protect us all.”
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 555 received more than 800 hours of recruit-level instruction over 20 weeks. Major training areas included 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.
Since December 2019, the Beshear-Coelman administrated has graduated 1,691 officers from the basic training academy. Today’s 39 graduating law enforcement officers will begin working with the commonwealth’s 8,000 other officers to create a commonwealth that is safer for all Kentuckians now and into the future.
“I am proud of your commitment to learning the skills and knowledge presented during your time at the basic training academy,” DOCJT Commissioner Mike Bosse said. “I wish you success in your careers as you implement the training you’ve received to enhance public safety in your communities.”
The Beshear-Coleman administration is proud to welcome the 39 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 to make each of Kentucky’s communities safer.
Class 555 graduates and their agencies are:
Jason Blevins, Hartford Police Department
Stone Bolin, Russell County Sheriff’s Office
Nathaniel Burns, Rockcastle County Sheriff’s Office
Lukas Burress, Campbellsville Police Department
Gerald Bush, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office
Tanner Chaney, Irvine Police Department
Austin Cloyd, London Police Department
Palmer Coomes, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
Michael Corey, Nicholasville Police Department
Joseph Duffy, Elizabethtown Police Department
Clayton Dunaway, Edgewood Police Department
Jacob Eison, Princeton Police Department
Amin El Brahmi, Florence Police Department
Nicholas P. Elkins, University of Kentucky Police Department
Gavin Gray, Elizabethtown Police Department
Benjamin Hargan, Elizabethtown Police Department
Brennan Jackson, London Police Department
Zackary Lewis, Grant County Police Department
Arianna Luna, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office
Macey Martin, Elizabethtown Police Department
John McFadden, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Adam McKinney, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Bailey Pittman, Nicholasville Police Department
Heath Price, Webster County Sheriff’s Office
Cody Puckett, Elizabethtown Police Department
Layla Robinson, Florence Police Department
Chaz Roe, Nicholasville Police Department
Cody Rogers, Mayfield Police Department
Seth Singleton, Somerset Police Department
Deamarko Spalding, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Terrold Stinnett, Leitchfield Police Department
Alex Thomas, Shively Police Department
Blake Thompson, Munfordville Police Department
Noah Tuke, Wilder Police Department
Douglas Tyler, Wilder Police Department
Logan Vonderbrink, Vanceburg Police Department
Andrey Voznyuk, Nicholasville Police Department
Emily Wall, Adair County Sheriff’s Office
Noel Williams, Georgetown Police Department
DOCJT provides basic training for city and county police officers, sheriffs’ deputies, university police and airport police throughout the state, only excluding the Louisville Metro Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Bowling Green Police Department, Owensboro Police Department and the Kentucky State Police, each of which have independent academies.
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.
On Feb. 28, the Beshear-Coleman administration welcomed the first basic training academy class to Western Kentucky. 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.
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 July 2023, Gov. Beshear broke ground in Richmond on a 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 Department.
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 the U.S. Military while they undergo law enforcement training at the Department of Criminal Justice Training.
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