The Kentucky State Police graduated the newest class of cadets on Friday in Frankfort.
The 51 graduates completed the 24-week training academy which started on February 24th. The cadets received more than 1,000 hours of classroom and field study in 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.
The newest addition increases the number of KSP troopers to 940, which is the highest number of Troopers since 2006.
“I am pleased to welcome these new cadets to the ranks of trooper,” said Commissioner PJ Burnett. It’s been a hard fought journey for each of them and they have more than earned the honor to wear our badge.”
Front Row (left to right): Trooper Alena Dunaway and Trooper Richard Thompson.
Back Row (left to right): Trooper Charles Rafferty, Trooper Lukas Shepard, Trooper Christopher Meador, and Trooper Samuel Mizner.
Post 16 which covers Daviess, Hancock, Ohio, McLean, Henderson and Union Counties will receive 6 new cadets from the graduating class. These cadets include: Alena Dunaway (Owensboro, KY); Christopher Meador (Shepherdsville, KY); Samuel Mizner (Shepherdsville, KY); Charles Rafferty (Leitchfield, KY); Lukas Shephard (Beaver Dam, KY); and Richard Thompson (Shepherdsville, KY).
Trooper Richard Thompson received the ‘Ernie Bivens Award.’ The honor is presented to a cadet 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.
KSP’s recruitment branch is currently accepting applications for the upcoming cadet class 104, which is slated to begin January 2024. The deadline to apply is by close of business August 31.
For more information about career opportunities with KSP visit the website.
