The Instructor Certification Committee is one of three committees of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. The committee meets quarterly during the law enforcement council meetings in February, May, August and November. The Instructor Certification Committee conducts the final process for certification for new instructors during the meeting by having a face-to-face interview with the instructor applicants, as needed. If the committee approves, the applicant is granted original certification for a 5-year period. The committee also reviews applications for Continued Certification, Additional Certification and Waived Certification.
Historical Facts
March 19, 1969, the first 33 instructors were certified by virtue of a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice or related area.
February 1971, a law enforcement instructor development course was provided from Northwestern University and the first 80-hour Instructor Development Course was utilized and was required to become a certified law enforcement instructor.
November 1985, the face-to-face interview with the Instructor Certification Committee was added to complete the certification process.
January 1, 2019, the Instructor Development Course originally was 120 hours and then dropped back to 80 hours. It remained at 80 hours until January 1, 2019, when it changed to a 40-hour class.
January 1, 2020, the Instructor Development Course reverted back to an 80-hour class.
Instructor Development courses currently approved by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council:
Department of Criminal Justice Training - Law Enforcment Instructor Development Course (80 Hours)
Lexington Police Training Academy - Lexington Police Department Instructor Training Course (40 Hours)
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center - Law Enforcement Instructor Training Program (80 Hours)
Areas of Certification
KLEC Instructor Certification Areas document provides the subject areas, pre-requisites and the minimum requirements to instruct in specific subject areas.
Legislation for Certification
All police instructors are required to be certified or waived (KRS 15.370)
Police instructors must be certified in specific field/subject matter or academic discipline (503 KAR 1:100)
Hours of attendance are adhered to (KRS 15.330)
Requirements of Certification
The following is considered when the Instructor Certification Committee reviews each certification application:
Original Certification Requirements
Continued Certification Requirements
To acquire continued certification, complete the required application under Instructors in LETRS.
If the certification has expired, the instructor shall be considered inactive and that instructor may not teach in KLEC certified courses. (See re-certification procedures).
- A Monitor Evaluation Form is required with all Continued Certification Submissions.
Re-certification Requirements
Re-certification is required in cases when an instructor has allowed certification to lapse and is inactive.
To acquire re-certification, complete the required application under Instructors in LETRS.
Be monitored by a KLEC Monitor.
Additional Certification Requirements
Waived Certification Requirements
- To acquire a waiver, complete the required application under Instructors in LETRS.
The Instructor Certification Committee may waive the police instructor training requirement in 503 KAR 1:100 for all non-law enforcement employees/professionals. The waiver allows professional non-law enforcement personnel to be waived from the requirement to complete the LEN Instructor Development Course. Sworn personnel cannot obtain a waiver. Waivers for professionals are granted for 5 years.
Any academy with a certified peace officer who is a professional and certified in their field (i.e. psychologist, attorney) may be waived from attending the LEN Instructor Development Course.
Temporary Instructor Certification Requirements
A Temporary Instructor Certification (TIC) is only available for individuals that need to be certified instructors, who are unable to obtain the required instructor development training prior to their first teaching assignment and do not meet the requirements of a waived instructor because they are sworn entities. A KLEC approved Law Enforcement Instructor Development course and the certification process must be completed within two (2) years of the approval date of the TIC.
To acquire a TIC, complete the required application under instructors in LETRS.
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