61 recruits from across the Commonwealth began their participation in a 25 week State Police Training Academy this week. It comes on the heels of the retirement of 56 troopers in July. Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rick Sanders says that equaled the entire number who retired in all of 2017.
KSP Academy Commander Kyle Nall says the retirements are affecting state police posts in varying ways. “Some posts are struggling as far as making a schedule that covers their counties that they have to cover and the schedules of the shifts that they have to cover. But, it’s different all over the state as to who hurting the most and where it’s impacted us the most,” said Nall.
Nall says the training requirements will not be altered to produce troopers any sooner. 55 of the cadets are male and six are female while one is Hispanic/Latino and one is African American.? Kyle Nall says minority recruitment is an ongoing emphasis. “It’s a challenge because where we police is typically your rural areas in the state. And, we’re not seen as much in the urban areas where more of your African Americans and Latino folks live,” noted Nall.
Graduation is set for this February.
