Since 1998, Kentuckians aspiring to become a police officer have had no choice but to attend Department of Criminal Justice Training in Richmond — sometimes witnessing tough wait times while logging long travel hours and large wedges of time away from friends and family.
All of that changed late Friday afternoon in Madisonville — when Hopkins County officials and the Office of Governor Andy Beshear officially welcomed an inaugural class of 23 cadets from 17 different departments in the new Western Kentucky Training Campus.
While Beshear’s station and the Kentucky General Assembly work to construct a $50 million multipurpose facility in the community, these future officers are working in a building being provided by the Madisonville Police Department.
As such, Beshear said the Commonwealth is now training more officers than ever before — and working to keep more Kentuckians safe.
By the end of their graduation, Beshear noted these 23 cadets will “set the bar” of what Madisonville’s training can provide — which, in turn, will open up more opportunities for future officers at Richmond and in eastern Kentucky.
What’s more, Beshear said this new facility already has a deep tie to the 2021 quad state tornado — one that ravaged Graves County, Caldwell County, Hopkins County and beyond.
Lebanon, Tennessee, officials sent four free police cars to Mayfield. Now, they have a new home.
Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton said the collective, collaborative work wouldn’t have been possible without bi-partisan and non-partisan efforts in Frankfort and elsewhere — and that the city’s plans “are no longer a dream, but a reality.”
While the addition will undoubtedly bring invaluable liquidity from fuel, food, hotel expenses and job creation in the city and surrounding communities, Cotton added it also brings hope to those who may eventually seek a career in law enforcement.
Cotton reflected on a time he once got pulled over — the flashing blue lights indicating that he, too, was speeding. And that officers matter.
Judge-Executive Jack Whitefield and Madisonville Police Chief Steve Bryan also had roles to play not just on Friday, but in the plotting of this process.
Just like in Richmond, this class will receive more than 800 hours of instruction in major training areas, and are scheduled to graduate in June.
