RICHMOND - Law enforcement executives from 16 agencies across Kentucky graduated today from the Criminal Justice Executive Development program, an advanced leadership course designed for supervisors at the state's small- and medium-size agencies.

Brig. Gen. Norman E. Arflack, secretary of Kentucky's Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, was the guest speaker at the graduation ceremony.

The graduates, which comprised the Department of Criminal Justice Training's ninth CJED class, included a chief, an assistant chief, five captains and other ranking officers. Nortonville Police Chief Timothy C. Vaughn was the class leader.

CJED is a five-week program that focuses on identifying, analyzing and solving problems as well as leadership, personnel administration, operations, fiscal management, executive and environmental relationships.

The purpose of the course is to provide students with the academic background, leadership skills and management techniques required for the future. Each session enhances leadership abilities and encourages the development of visionary thinkers.

To take part in CJED, potential students must be supervisors who rank sergeant or above. They must apply for entrance into the program and be selected by a committee of CJED graduates from across the commonwealth. 

Students attend CJED courses for one week each month for five months.

The Department of Criminal Justice Training is a state agency located on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus. The agency is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and was the first accredited public safety training program in the nation. In 2006, the academy also became the first law enforcement training academy in the nation to be designated as a CALEA flagship agency.

CJED IX graduates and their agencies are:

Deputy Executive Director James J. Acquisto, Kentucky Office of Charitable Gaming

Sgt. Charles R. Adams Jr., Frankfort Police Department

Lt. Kenneth L. Armstrong, Lexington Division of Police

Cpt. Brandon L. Barnhill, Paducah Police Department

Cpt. Christopher Cain, Nicholasville Police Department

Sgt. John R. Eddy, Park Hills Police Department

Sgt. David A. Garnick, Newport Police Department

Cpt. Paul G. Grant, University of Kentucky Police Department

Lt. Col. (assistant chief) Anthony G. Gray Jr., Danville Police Department

Cpt. Brett Hightower, Bowling Green Police Department

Cpt. James D. Hyde, Bowling Green Police Department

Sgt. Carolyn A. Nunn, Louisville Metro Police Department

Sgt. Terry L. Parker, Hopkinsville Police Department

Sgt. Kevin Pendigraph, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

Chief Timothy C. Vaughn, Nortonville Police Department

Sgt. Troy L. Vines, Erlanger Police Department

Lt. Robert B. Warfel, Frankfort Police Department

Lt. William P. Wilson, Campbell County Police Department