FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 26, 2025) — Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) have officially opened applications for Cadet Class 107, announcing an increased starting salary of $69,500 per year, a competitive hybrid retirement plan, and a sick leave buyback program to attract new recruits.
“The Kentucky State Police set high standards for law enforcement and public service,” Gov. Beshear said. “We encourage those who believe they can rise to this challenge to apply for the next cadet class. It’s a demanding but deeply rewarding career.”
Cadet Training Program
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Recruits without prior law enforcement experience must complete a 24-week intensive training program that includes over 1,000 hours of classroom and field instruction. Training covers:
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Constitutional, juvenile & traffic laws
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Crisis response & criminal investigations
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Community relations & crowd control
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Weapons handling & high-speed pursuits
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Hazardous materials management
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First aid & implicit bias education
Applicants with previous law enforcement experience may qualify for KSP’s Law Enforcement Accelerated Program (LEAP), which allows seasoned officers to complete an abbreviated 14-course training track.
Application Details
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Cadet Class 107 Start Date: May 2026
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Application Deadline: December 5, 2025
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How to Apply: Visit the KSP website for eligibility, required documents, and physical testing details.
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For assistance, email [email protected].
Applicants selected from Posts 1, 2, 5, 6, and 16 are guaranteed assignments at their home post, while others will be placed based on agency needs.
State Investments in Law Enforcement
Gov. Beshear’s administration has made significant investments to strengthen public safety:
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Opened the Jody Cash Multipurpose Training Facility — a 42,794 sq. ft. center with a 30-lane firing range to improve officer readiness.
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Awarded $12M+ to state and local law enforcement for safety upgrades, drug prevention, and crime reduction.
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Allocated $149M+ in funding to victim service agencies.
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Provided $12.2M for KSP body cameras — the first allocation of its kind in Kentucky’s history.
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Increased the annual law enforcement training stipend to $4,562 by FY 2026.
Crime & Public Safety Improvements
Recent reports highlight significant progress:
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7.66% overall drop in serious Category A crimes (2023–2024)
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11.55% decrease in drug/narcotic offenses
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12.7% decline in homicides
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13.78% drop in sex offenses
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30.2% decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2024 — the third consecutive annual decline
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Nearly 70% of released inmates avoided returning to custody, achieving one of the nation’s lowest recidivism rates
With higher salaries, expanded training opportunities, and record-breaking safety investments, the KSP is positioning itself as one of the most competitive law enforcement agencies in the region.
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