RICHMOND - Law enforcement officers from 13 agencies graduated today from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Basic Training Academy.

The 16 members of Class 373 underwent 18 weeks of training, which consisted of more than 750 hours of recruit-level officer academy instruction. Major training areas include 40 hours of homeland security training, Orientation for New Law Enforcement Families, law offenses and procedures, vehicle operations, firearms, investigation, first aid/CPR, patrol procedures, and mechanics of arrest, restraint and control.

The 18-week academy is mandatory for all Kentucky law enforcement officers who are required to comply with the state’s Peace Officer Professional Standards Act of 1998.

DOCJT is a state agency located on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus.

The agency is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and was the first accredited Public Safety Training Program in the nation. In July, DOCJT also became the first law enforcement training academy in the nation to be designated as a CALEA flagship agency.

Class 373 graduates and their agencies are:

Christopher L. Baxter, Paducah Police Department

Scottie R. Bennett, Paducah Police Department

Charles A. Bowling, Owsley County Sheriff’s Office

Michael D. Burton, Adair County Sheriff’s Office

Tyler M. Clark, Western Kentucky University Police Department

Phillip A. Dixon, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office

Nathan M. Doty, Lawrenceburg Police Department

Charles W. Greer, Adair County Sheriff’s Office

Steven J. Kush, Campbell County Police Department

John M. Ramsey Jr., Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office

Robert J. Smith, Warren County Sheriff’s Office

Justin R. Taylor, Warren County Sheriff’s Office

Bryan R. Tipton, Martin County Sheriff’s Office

Jared B. Wagner, Fleming County Sheriff’s Office
 
Michael D. Winkler, Edgewood Police Department

Thomas R. Young, Meade County Sheriff’s Office

Awards: Bryan R. Tipton, Academic Achievement Award; Michael D. Winkler, Coordinator’s Award; Steven J. Kush, Performance Award in Physical Fitness; Nathan M. Doty, award for 110 % in Physical Fitness and Defensive Tactics; Jared B. Wagner, Firearms Proficiency Award.

Class officers: Christopher L. Baxter, class leader; Tyler M. Clark, adjutant; Michael D. Burton, Honor Code representative; John M. Ramsey Jr., special projects officer; Steven J. Kush, squad leader.