Cabinet Secretary Noble Signs Executive Order Waiving 32 In-service Hours

Gov. Andy Beshear and Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Mary Noble have taken steps to support Kentucky law enforcement officers seeking to complete their mandatory in-service training, despite training delays due to the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

Secretary Noble signed an executive order on Thursday waiving 32 hours of law enforcement state-mandated in-service training for officers who have not yet met their 2020 requirement. The executive order will expire on January 1, 2021.

“Kentucky’s law enforcement training is nationally recognized for its high standards, and this is maintained by these officers receiving 40 hours of continuing training each year to retain their certification,” Secretary Noble said. “Because of COVID 19 delays, it is impossible to complete that level of training this year. For this year alone, a condensed eight hour training will be provided, with a waiver for the remaining hours, to allow continued certification.”    

The Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) temporarily closed in mid-March as part of the state’s efforts to fight against COVID-19 and protect officers and staff. DOCJT reopened on June 28 by welcoming one class of recruits back to campus to complete the basic training academy.

DOCJT developed the 8-hour online course for the 7,000 officers who still need to complete their mandatory continuing training requirement. The Ethical Policing in Contemporary Times course will be available for registration via Acadis in mid-July, with the first course scheduled to start early August. Officers will have one week, beginning on a Sunday, to complete the training materials while interacting with instructors and classmates through message boards.

“I am proud to support local law enforcement through these unprecedented times,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “The course we have developed includes quality training that does not reduce the standards of excellence officers expect from DOCJT.”

This 8-hour course will be the only in-service training offered by DOCJT for the remainder of 2020 for all Kentucky peace officers who have not yet completed their annual training. Completion of this course will satisfy the mandatory training requirements for 2020 only.