24 recruits complete 800 hours of training​

RICHMOND, Ky. (June 30, 2022) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) announced that 24 law enforcement officers from agencies across the state have graduated the basic training academy.

“The hard work you've put in over the last 20 weeks has paid off," Gov. Beshear said. “We look forward to seeing how you will help create safer communities and pray that each of you have a safe and healthy career serving the people of Kentucky."

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 528 received 800 hours of recruit-level instruction over 20 weeks. Major training areas include 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.

“Choosing to follow the calling to law enforcement carries with it a commitment of honor, integrity, responsibility and professionalism," said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “Be true to yourself, your oath, your fellow officers and the citizens who are depending on you."

DOCJT provides basic training for city and county police officers, sheriffs' deputies, university police, airport police throughout the state, only excluding Louisville Metro Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Bowling Green Police Department and the Kentucky State Police, which each have independent academies.

Class 528 graduates and their agencies are:

Aaron C. Amshoff, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Troy Carlson Jr., Morganfield Police Department

Jarrett R. Carr, Corbin Police Department

Tayler S. Davis, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Aaron C. Duncan, Breckinridge County Sheriff's Office

Seth R. Farthing, Paducah Police Department

James D. Fields, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Brian France, Laurel County Sheriff's Office

Cory S. Harber, Fleming County Sheriff's Office

Stone J. Harris, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Stephen K. Hartley, Georgetown Police Department

Toni R. Hudspeth, Henderson County Sheriff's Office

Valerie M. Johnson, University of Louisville Police Department

Jimmy R. McIntosh, Owenton Police Department

Derrick Moore, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Theodore T. Oldendick, Gallatin County Sheriff's Office

Ven J. Patterson, University of Louisville Police Department

Austin T. Poindexter, Bell County Sheriff's Office

Jimmy D. Rice, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Christian Roberts, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Samuel Shearer, Berea Police Department

Zachary Valerius, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport Police Department

Jonathan L. Wagner, Mason County Sheriff's Office

Mitchell R. Weekley, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources​

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