Recent graduate of Kentucky State Police cadet class assigned to Mayfield post

(KBSI) – Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police announced that 51 cadets have graduated the agency’s training academy and are now ready to report for duty across the commonwealth.

Cadet Class 103 graduates increase the number of KSP troopers protecting Kentucky’s 120 counties to approximately 940. That is the highest number of troopers the agency has employed since 2006.

Kelly Underhill of Almo, Ky. will be assigned to Post 1 based in Mayfield.

“KSP is the backbone of safety in our commonwealth, and I am honored to have these 51 Kentuckians join Team Kentucky in the name of creating safer communities,” Gov. Beshear said. “I ask that the commonwealth join me and my family in praying for these brave public servants each and every day. KSP has my administration’s full support, and we will do everything we can to ensure your safety and protection, just as you do for all Kentuckians.”

KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. pledged the agency’s commitment to continue providing exceptional training and critical resources to the 51 graduates to ensure a successful and long career in law enforcement.

“I am pleased to welcome these new cadets to the ranks of trooper,” said Commissioner Burnett. “It’s been a hard-fought journey for each of them and they have more than earned the honor to wear our badge.”

Cadet Class 103 reported to the KSP training academy on February 26. They went through 24-weeks of intense training to learn the job skills necessary to be a state trooper. The graduating cadets will uphold the mission of KSP to promote public safety through service, integrity and professionalism using partnerships to prevent, reduce and deter crime and the fear of crime, enhance highway safety through education and enforcement, safeguard property and protect individual rights.

The graduates of Cadet Class 103 received more than 1,000 hours of classroom and field study. The subjects they learned include constitutional law, juvenile and traffic law, use of force, weapons training, defensive tactics, first aid, high speed vehicle pursuit, criminal investigation, computer literacy, hostage negotiations, evidence collection, radio procedures, search and seizure, crash investigation, drug identification, traffic control, crowd control, armed robbery response, electronic crimes, sex crimes, hate crimes, domestic violence, bomb threats and hazardous materials.

“The commonwealth’s newest troopers have been given hundreds of hours of training to help them face tomorrows challenges,” said KSP Academy Commander Capt. Shawn Darby. “They will need everyone’s genuine support throughout their career, in good times and bad.”