Becoming a police officer in Kentucky is a lengthy process that requires dedication and commitment. The journey to becoming a law enforcement officer in the state typically takes around 1.5 years, depending on the availability of vacancies in the Kentucky State Police or any other local police department. The first step is to apply for any open police officer position. This process can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months on average.
If you are selected, you will then need to enroll in the Kentucky State Police Training Academy or the Department of Criminal Justice's Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy. Both of these courses are intense 24-week and 20-week military-style programs, respectively, designed to teach cadets the job skills needed to perform the duties of a policeman. During the academy, students will identify, discuss, and demonstrate learning in many areas of performance. In total, the entire process of becoming a Kentucky police officer will take about 1.5 years.
