MADISONVILLE, Ky. — Twenty-three new law enforcement officers from agencies across Western Kentucky have graduated from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training's basic training academy in Madisonville, the third class to complete the program since the temporary facility opened earlier this year.

The graduates of Class 571 completed more than 800 hours of recruit-level instruction during a 20-week program covering patrol procedures, criminal law, vehicle operations, defensive tactics, firearms, criminal investigations, traffic and DUI enforcement, cultural awareness, bias-related crimes and tactical responses to crisis situations, according to The Lane Report.

"Thank you for putting in the work and answering the call to make our commonwealth a safer place," Gov. Andy Beshear said. "All of Kentucky is praying for you and your families as you begin this career in service to your communities."

The Madisonville facility opened in February 2025, marking the first time since basic training became mandatory in 1998 that Kentucky has simultaneously offered law enforcement training at two locations. The temporary facility has graduated 60 officers across three classes, reducing the need for Western Kentucky recruits to travel more than three hours to the main training campus in Richmond.

Previously, law enforcement agencies in Western Kentucky faced six- to seven-month wait times to get recruits into training classes, creating recruitment and retention challenges. The new location allows the state to train officers closer to the communities where they will serve.

The state is moving forward with a permanent expansion. In April, the Department of Criminal Justice Training broke ground on the DOCJT West: Gaines-Brown Campus in Madisonville, a $50 million facility scheduled to open in late 2027. The permanent facility will include a 42,800-square-foot classroom and administration building and a 30,625-square-foot high-bay training building. Kentucky's 2026-2028 state budget includes $13.1 million for construction of a driving track, though the governor's request for an additional indoor firing range was not funded by the General Assembly.

"During the past 20 weeks you have listened earnestly to the training and guidance from your class coordinator and instructors at DOCJT," DOCJT Commissioner Mike Bosse told graduates. "I urge you to remember their instruction and commit the skills you take with you to heart."

The Class 571 graduates represent police and sheriff's departments throughout Western Kentucky, including agencies in Paducah, Henderson, Leitchfield, Murray, Warren County, Trigg County, Lyon County, Daviess County, Christian County and Hopkins County. Since December 2019, 1,929 officers have graduated from DOCJT's basic training academy, joining approximately 8,000 law enforcement officers serving communities across Kentucky.