Two Williamsburg police officers and a Bell County sheriff’s deputy were among the 38 law enforcement officers from across the commonwealth, who graduated from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s (DOCJT) basic training academy in Richmond Thursday.
Williamsburg Police Officer Colby W. Cornett, Williamsburg Police Officer Sabrina A. Lewis and Bell County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan N. Sams were among the officers, who returned home to serve, protect and create a safer new Kentucky home.
“Our law enforcement has a long history of serving and protecting this great commonwealth. Today, you all become part of this legacy,” Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday. “Thank you for stepping up to serve. We pray for your safety and wish you all fulfilling and successful careers.”
DOCJT is committed to providing officers with best practices, the latest technology training and legal information to protect the diverse communities they serve. The graduates of Class 559 received more than 800 hours of recruit-level instruction over 20 weeks. Major training areas included patrol procedures, physical training, vehicle operations, defensive tactics, criminal law, traffic and DUI, firearms, criminal investigations, cultural awareness, bias-related crimes and tactical responses to crisis situations.
Thursday’s 38 graduating law enforcement officers will begin working with the 8,000 other officers of the commonwealth to create a commonwealth that is safer for all Kentuckians.
“Today you leave this academy and have earned more than the honor of carrying a badge,” DOCJT Commissioner Mike Bosse said Thursday. “You now carry with you the responsibility of serving with honor, integrity, fairness and transparency. Take this responsibility to heart and the people you protect will see how much you care.”
DOCJT provides basic training for city and county police officers, sheriffs’ deputies, university police and airport police throughout the state, only excluding the Louisville Metro Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Bowling Green Police Department, Owensboro Police Department and the Kentucky State Police, each of which have independent academies.
