FRANKFORT, Ky. – Men and women considering a career in law enforcement have an opportunity to join a Kentucky police force that prides itself as one of the most elite law enforcement agencies in the country.

Kentucky State Police is accepting applications for Cadet Class 100, which begins training in May 2020. Those selected must attend the Kentucky State Police Academy in Frankfort, an intense 24-week training program covering all aspects of law enforcement.

“It’s always been considered the Marine Corps of law enforcement training academies. It is a very tough academy, but it’s by design. That is a controlled environment,” said Tpr. Corey King, adding that cadets are put through negative stimuli and many types of real-life scenarios to prepare them for the road. “It’s very rigorous but I can promise you, when you come out, you’re going to be a well-rounded trooper and ready to serve and protect."  

Recruiting and retaining officers has become a challenge for law enforcement agencies nationwide and King says KSP is no exception. Over the past eight or more years, King says KSP has been working against a declining pool of applicants and a growing number of troopers lost through attrition. King says it’s a trend agencies are seeing “coast to coast.” He attributes some of the nationwide struggles to maintain and recruit new officers to anti-police rhetoric, budget cuts and the inherent dangers of the job.

Despite the many challenges troopers face, King says being able to help people, especially children, makes putting on the uniform each day worthwhile.

“There are so many stories I can come up with and tell you that would literally bring a tear to your eye, and it does me from time to time, just thinking about how terrible things can happen and yet you see the positive and the good that can come out of it too,” King said. “I love to be that vehicle and seeing the good side of how humanity can really be.”

King recently joined Spectrum News 1’s Kayla Moody in-studio to talk about recruitment and how law enforcement has changed over the years. You can watch the full interview by playing the video attached to this article.

Click here to apply for KSP’s upcoming cadet class and to learn more about the job requirements and benefits of being a trooper.