Sept. 1, 1966
Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond received a grant from the Office of Law Enforcement Assistance, United States Department of Justice, to research training needs, establish a training program at the school and determine whether law enforcement officers would welcome training in Kentucky. Out of the grant the agency now known as DOCJT was born.
1968
In July, a management-level course was conducted. This was the first official DOCJT training class.
The Kentucky General Assembly passed a bill that established the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC) as a state agency but kept training on a voluntary basis.
1969
In July, the first law enforcement basic training class graduated a three-week course.
1971
Law enforcement basic training increases from three weeks to six weeks.
1972
In July, the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund (KLEFPF) was established. This fund provided a pay incentive to municipal and county peace officers whose agencies adopted the established KLEFPF standards to include sending all full-time officers for training. Sheriffs, their deputies, and all other law enforcement agencies not specifically named in the statute were excluded from the KLEFPF. However, training was made available to them.
1973
Gov. Wendell Ford issued an executive order, which reorganized state government and established the Kentucky Department of Justice. The Department of Justice was comprised of three bureaus: Bureau of State Police, Bureau of Corrections, and the Bureau of Training (presently the Department of Criminal Justice Training).
1977
Three field offices for in-service training were established. The field offices made training more accessible for law enforcement agencies in western and northern Kentucky. The northern Kentucky office was located in Highland Heights at Northern Kentucky University. The Louisville office was located on the Shelby Campus of the University of Louisville. The western Kentucky office was located in Bowling Green at Western Kentucky University.
1978
The Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation mandating the training of coroners. The legislation designated DOCJT to conduct coroner training. The training had two elements: basic training and in-service.
1979
The Law Enforcement Basic Training Academy Class No. 100 graduated.
1984
In December 1984, the Department of Training created a Breath Test Training Section to assume all breath test training of law enforcement officers.
1985
In March, by Executive Order, the Department of Training became the Department of Criminal Justice Training.
1986
The first comprehensive Job Task Analysis for patrol level officers in Kentucky was completed and a proposed 14-week basic training curriculum was presented to legislators. However, the new curriculum was rejected by the 1986 General Assembly. The data obtained from the Job Task Analysis was utilized to create a new 10-week curriculum.
The Communications Training Section was created to meet the legislative mandate for training police communications personnel.
1987
The first 10-week sheriff’s basic training course for sheriffs and deputies was conducted. The training was in basic police skills with emphasis on the special duties of the office of Kentucky sheriff.
1989
The Kentucky sheriffs suggested the basic training curriculum be the same as required of other law enforcement officers. Sheriffs and their deputies presently attend the same training as all other law enforcement officers.
1990
On Aug. 24, 1990, Law Enforcement Basic Training Academy Class No. 200 graduated.
The Kentucky General Assembly approved a plan for the addition (Funderburk Building) of the law enforcement complex for exclusive use as a facility of training.
1992
In February, construction of the Funderburk Building began.
1993
Construction of the Funderburk Building was completed and DOCJT staff moved into the new facility on Sept. 1, 1993. During this same time, a new firing range and driving range, the McKinney Skills Complex, was built within walking distance of the Funderburk Building.
1997
DOCJT was designated by Gov. Paul Patton to be the lead agency for the Kentucky Police Corps Program. The Police Corps was a national effort to motivate highly qualified young people to serve our cities and counties for four years as police officers on community patrol. Kentucky’s focus was on the rural and small police agencies. Scholarship recipients receive up to $30,000 in college scholarships, as well as full salary and benefits during their four years of service. Nine students were selected in 1998 to receive the four-year scholarships.
A completed occupational analysis of the job tasks performed by both non-ranking officers and telecommunications personnel was completed and utilized for the new basic training curriculum and physical training standards.
1998
Architectural plans were developed for an adjacent residence hall of 200 beds, gymnasium, armory, 42 offices, and seven classrooms in a 138,000 square foot complex.
The Criminal Justice Executive Development (CJED) Course, an eight-week program designed specifically for small to medium size agency administrators and managers, was offered.
In March, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accredited DOCJT at its conference in Vancouver, British Columbia.
In July, KLEFPF was restructured to include sheriff offices and university police departments.
In October, physical training standards were established for the Peace Officer Professional Standards (POPS) and basic training.
On Dec. 1, 1998, the Peace Officer Professional Standards, through the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council, as a result of Gov. Patton’s 1998 Crime Bill, went into effect.
1999
The Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial is dedicated. The first memorial ceremony is held in May.
Law enforcement basic training course is increased to 16 weeks.
Public Safety Dispatch Academy Class No. 1 graduated.
2000
Groundbreaking of Schwendeman academic building, Weber and Thompson buildings is held.
2001
Law Enforcement Basic Training Academy Class No. 300 graduated.
The first Kentucky Law Enforcement News magazine (now known as Kentucky Law Enforcement magazine) is launched. The magazine serves as an informational tool for Kentucky Law Enforcement.
2002
DOCJT is reorganized to include a deputy commissioner, three divisions, and increased branches and sections.
Phase one of the new building projects is completed, which began the construction of the Weber (gym) and Stone buildings.
2003
The Career Development Program is launched. The CDP helps narrow an officer’s or dispatcher’s career goals via an established career path curriculum.
Academy of Police Supervision graduates first class. APS is a program designed for newly appointed sergeants or officers who are on their agency’s list to become sergeants.
DOCJT receives its first Public Safety Training Academy accreditation by CALEA.
Public Safety Dispatch Basic Academy begins.
2005
Distance Learning Program was created and the first online courses began.
2006
DOCJT is reaccredited as CALEA Public Safety Training Academy and designated as a flagship agency for being the first training agency in the nation to be accredited under the new Public Safety Training Academy accreditation standards.
Drug recognition and evaluation program begins.
Three training operations branches were added: skills, leadership, and telecommunications.
DOCJT offers Homeland Security courses to meet nationwide requirements.
2007
Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial expands and relocates to its current campus location.
Kentucky Criminalistics Academy begins. KCA is a 400-hour forensics program divided into two 5-week blocks.
The Future of Kentucky Law Enforcement – the Next 10 Years symposium is held.
The Instructional Design section is created.
2008
Weber and Stone buildings are dedicated.
Law Enforcement Basic Training Academy increases to 768 hours and 18 weeks.
The Court Security Officers training program begins.
2009
Law Enforcement Basic Training Academy Class No. 400 graduated.
DOCJT was awarded reaccreditation by CALEA.
DOCJT’s Facebook page was launched.
2010
DOCJT and the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs collaborate to train Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners and police side-by-side.
2011
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation officers become eligible for KLEFPF pay incentive.
2012
DOCJT receives its fourth CALEA reaccreditation.
2013
The online registration system, Training and Registration Information System (TRISS) launches.
DOCJT receives International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET) accreditation.
2015
Public Safety Dispatch Academy Class No. 100 graduated.
Statewide Job Task Analysis completed for non-supervising law enforcement officers
2016
The Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Bill 63, the mandatory Sexual Assault training program
2017
The first Post Critical Incident Seminar (PCIS) class is taught. The three-day seminar modeled after highly successful programs developed by the FBI and South Carolina officials assist law enforcement officers and public safety dispatchers who have experienced a critical incident.
2018
The Kentucky General Assembly passed Kentucky Post Critical Incident Seminar bill.
DOCJT adopts a 20-week law enforcement basic training program.
Peace Officer Professional Standards (POPS) celebrates 20 years.
KRS 15.518 Law Enforcement Professional Development and Wellness Program begins. DOCJT was tasked with developing a Law Enforcement Professional Development and Wellness Program using seminar-based peer support and counseling services designed to reduce negative mental and behavioral health outcome.
2019
Law Enforcement Basic Training Academy Class No. 500 graduated.
Senate Bill 1, which establishes a state school safety marshal and requires every school to have a school resource officer assigned, is passed by the General Assembly. DOCJT has been tasked to train SROs the facilitate the assessment tool among school districts.
The Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Fund celebrates 20 years.
The Department of Criminal Justice Training partnered with Bluegrass Community Technical College to offer associate’s degrees to officers who complete basic training. Recruits earn 45 credit hours from their basic training curriculum and have the option of taking an additional 15 credit hours online during their basic training for the degree. The associate’s degree program will be free of charge to recruits.
2020
The Department of Criminal Justice Training graduated its first School Compliance Officer Certification class. The course is designed to train those individuals in charge of completing school assessments based on state-mandated compliance as spelled out in the School Safety and Resiliency Act which was passed in 2019. The inaugural class included 41 professionals dedicated to keeping Kentucky Schools safe.
MARCH – The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic made its way into Kentucky in early March, prompting Gov. Andy Beshear to declare a state of emergency on March 6. As a result, DOCJT suspended all training effective March 27. It marked the first time in the agency’s history that a prolonged suspension of training occurred.
JUNE – DOCJT developed the 8-hour Ethical Policing in Contemporary Times course, which covers; response to resistance, deadly force, moral decision-making, civil rights law, community oriented-policing, bias-related crimes and tactical responses to crises. Completion of this course satisfies the mandatory in-service training requirements for 2020 only.
JUNE – After nearly three months of suspended training, law enforcement basic training classes resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic. DOCJT established strict safety policies and procedures, including the wearing of approved masks and appropriate social-distance measures. Additionally, DOCJT’s facilities section amped up its cleaning procedures to keep staff and students as safe as possible during the pandemic.
JULY – Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Mary Noble signed an executive order on July 9, 2020, waiving 32 of the 40 hours of law enforcement state-mandated in-service training for officers who had not yet met their 2020 requirement.
DECEMBER – DOCJT announced the re-opening of a training facility at the University of Louisville’s Shelby Campus to better meet Kentucky peace officers' training needs, beginning in 2021. The Louisville field office is the only designated training space outside of DOCJT headquarters in Richmond, which is staffed full-time with four instructors and a supervisor.
2021
JANUARY – After nine months, in-person in-service training at DOCJT resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic. DOCJT used the same policies and procedures for law enforcement basic training classes to continue the training safely.
APRIL – The first in-person Basic Training Academy graduation ceremony took place on April 22, more than a year after the global COVID-19 pandemic hit Kentucky. The 28 members of Basic Training Class 515 received their certificates in a safe, socially distanced event with Gov. Andy Beshear in attendance.
JUNE – After 15 months of telecommuting due to the global pandemic, Department of Criminal Justice Training employees returned to in-person work on June 14. All DOCJT employees were encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccination.
2022
APRIL – The new Military to Law Enforcement (M2LE) initiative between the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC) and the Department of Defense (DOD) will make it easier for police agencies in the commonwealth to recruit and hire veterans separating from the military. The program comes with a significant cost-savings for the hiring agency during the duration of the recruit’s training as the individual’s salary and benefits, such as medical care, are paid for by the military. The first recruit to benefit from the program was Anthony Catania, who graduated in April with Basic Training Class 525.
JUNE – In June, the budget approved by the Kentucky Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Andy Beshear increased the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund (KLEFPF) officer stipend by $300. The money increased the annual training incentive from $4,000 to $4,300. The passage of this year’s increase also happens to coincide with KLEFPF’s 50th anniversary. This was the first increase in the fund since 2016.
SEPTEMBER – In September, DOCJT finalized the purchase of the Boonesboro shooting range. The agency had rented the space for many years and assumed ownership in late September. This will allow the agency to make needed changes and upgrades to continue to officer the best training for its clients. The Boonesboro Range sits on more than 55 acres near the Kentucky River.
2023
The Department of Criminal Justice Training broke ground on a new law enforcement training facility on July 10. Gov. Andy Beshear participated in the groundbreaking of the Jody Cash Multipurpose Training Facility. The 42,794-square-foot facility is designed with a 50-yard, 30-lane firing range for officers to learn intensive and specialized training. The facility was named in honor of Calloway County Chief Deputy Jody Cash who lost his life in the line of duty on May 16, 2022. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.
The Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 1973, Gov. Wendell Ford issued an executive order, which reorganized state government and established the Kentucky Department of Justice. The DOJ comprised three bureaus: the Bureau of State Police, the Bureau of Corrections, and the Bureau of Training (presently the Department of Criminal Justice Training). DOCJT created challenge coins to commemorate the anniversary.
2024
DOCJT began implementing a portion of basic training online, starting with Law Enforcement Basic Training Class 548. Guidelines established in House Bill 565, which amended KRS 15A.070, require at least 10% of basic training be made available electronically and online for recruits to complete through remote learning. Basic Training Law Enforcement Class 548, DOCJT’s first class to complete a hybrid basic training curriculum, graduated on June 13.
The Department of Criminal Justice Training earned accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education in June. The Atlanta-based COE was founded in 1971, as the Commission on Occupational Education Institutions of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. According to its website, COE serves as a regional accrediting association serving institutions in an 11-state area. Its vision is to "lead and shape the future of career and technical education by fostering excellence, innovation, and integrity.”
The Department of Criminal Justice Training celebrated the 100th class of the Academy of Police Supervision (APS) in September. The APS was launched in 2003 as one of DOCJT’s leadership courses, aimed at developing and shaping future and current leaders in law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth. The training program provides in-depth instruction in positively influencing groups of people, applying situational leadership, understanding constitutional and administrative law, demonstrating emotional and social intelligence, making ethical decisions, solving problems, surviving emotionally, and public speaking. Between 2003 and 2024, 2,092 of Kentucky’s law enforcement leaders have graduated the Academy of Police Supervision and gone on to become valued leaders within Kentucky’s law enforcement community.