Most of the larger cities in Kentucky have police officer applicants fill out an initial application online as well as uploading a resume. In Kentucky the minimum demands are slightly different than most states, therefore it is wise to make sure you can fulfill them prior to spending the time on an application and resume. Based on your resume and application the police department may contact you to schedule a physical agility test, which is the first real step of the process. If an applicant passes they will then move on to the written and oral exams. Both exams need to be passed in order to move on in the process. The next step would be a background investigation and interview in person with a panel of officers. Provided that they find these satisfactory, they will then have the applicant complete a medical and psychological exam to ensure they would be fit for duty.
Finally, after the extensive process, chosen applicants can attend a police academy for training. After graduating the academy there is a period of field training. This on the job training is one of the most crucial parts of the process as it is a time when officers are actually doing what they have been trained to do prior to becoming a full law enforcement officer. Graduates of all of the above would be granted their badge so long as everything was satisfactory.
Kentucky Police Officer Training Requirements
The minimum law enforcement officer requirements in Kentucky are slightly more than most other states. In addition to the regular requirements (being 21, having a valid Kentucky driver’s license and being a US citizen in good standing) Kentucky has education requirements which are higher than most states. Instead of simply requiring a high school diploma, applicants need to meet the requirement of 60 college credit hours minimum unless they have served in the military for a term or have been serving with the reserves or National Guard for a minimum of four years.
As far as requirements (or standards) for the physical agility test, Louisville police department requires the following:
- Bench press % body weight: 55.3%-73%
- Sit-ups: 13-19
- 300-meter run: 68-64 seconds
- Push-ups: 14-25
- 5-mile run (minutes: seconds): 17:56-16:15
This is just one police department, however, check with the department you are applying to in order to find out specific requirements for that department.
Average Salary for Police Officers in Kentucky
The average Kentucky patrol officer salary is 39,970 a year. Keep in mind that this is an average. Patrol officers in Louisville for instance make 46,310 starting out. The average takes into account all the rural areas of Kentucky that pay much less than the larger cities.
Law Enforcement Schooling Options in Kentucky
As mentioned earlier, it is one of the requirements of Kentucky for applicants to either have served or are serving in the military, or have 60 college credits or more. Please peruse the below list of schools in Kentucky that offer college level programs on law enforcement related subjects.
- Ashland Community and Technical College
1400 College Drive, Ashland, KY 41101
606-326-2000
- Bellarmine University
2001 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40205
502-272-8131
- Bluegrass Community and Technical College
470 Cooper Drive, Lexington, KY 40506
866-774-4872
- Campbellsville University
1 University Drive, Campbellsville, KY 42718
270-789-5000
- Daymar College
3361 Buckland Square, Owensboro, KY 42301
877-258-7796
- Gateway Community and Technical College
500 Technology Way, Florence, KY 41042
859-441-4500
- Hopkinsville Community College
720 North Drive, Hopkinsville, KY 42241
270-707-3700
- Kentucky Wesleyan College
3000 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301
270-926-3111
- Northern Kentucky University
Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099
859-572-5100
- Owensboro Community and Technical College
4800 New Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY 42303
270-686-4400
- Pikeville College
147 Sycamore Street, Pikeville, KY 41501
606-218-5250
- Sullivan University
3101 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40205
502-456-6505
- University of Louisville
2301 S 3rd Street, Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-5555
- Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green, KY 42101
270-745-0111