Gov. Beshear, Department of Criminal Justice Training Announce 24 Graduates of Public Safety Dispatch Academy Class 159
On August 9, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) announced that 24 dispatchers from across the state graduated from the Public Safety Dispatch Academy and are now ready to begin answering the call to aid both citizens and law enforcement officers of the commonwealth.
“You have chosen a noble profession and your commitment to your community and commonwealth is honorable,” Gov. Beshear said. “You are the lifeline to those who are experiencing the roughest moments of their lives.Thank you for answering the call to serve and being there for Kentuckians in the toughest of times.”
Dispatch basic training is mandatory for any sworn or civilian employee who will dispatch law enforcement officers by radio at a Criminal Justice Information Systems agency. Graduates of the academy have successfully completed a highly structured and comprehensive curriculum to satisfy mandated training requirements. The graduates of Class 159 received 164 hours of academy instruction to satisfy these requirements over four weeks. Major training areas included identifying the role and responsibilities of the dispatcher, correcting phone and radio procedures, handling emergency and non-emergency calls for service, using emergency medical dispatch protocols and using the state and national criminal databases.
“Choosing to become a member of this time-honored profession is commendable,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “It carries with it a commitment of honor and professionalism. I thank you for showing that commitment and wish you the best of luck in your careers.”
DOCJT is a state agency located on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University. The agency is the first in the nation to be accredited under the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies’ public safety training program designation.
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.
DOCJT is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA is seeking public input regarding DOCJT’s compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accredited status. Click here to submit comments.