CORRECTION: The original version of this brief misidentified the director of the Northern Kentucky Police and Sheriff’s Training Center. Relevant lines have been corrected. We apologize for any confusion this caused–LINK nky editorial
House Bill 482, a Kentucky House bill sponsored by numerous Northern Kentucky Representatives, including Stephanie Dietz (R-Edgewood), Kim Banta (R-Fort Mitchell) and Rachel Roberts (D-Newport), among others, advanced to the committee on local government last week.
The bill would add the Owensboro Police Chief Arthur Ealum Jr. and the Director of the Northern Kentucky Police and Sheriff’s Training Center, Chris Haddle (or his designee), to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. The council oversees training requirements, instructor certifications and curricula for police training in the commonwealth.
Dietz and local officials spoke briefly about the bill at Kenton County Mayors Meeting on Feb. 17.
“We want to thank Rep. Dietz because… it’s a very complicated situation,” said Pat Morgan of the Kenton County Sheriff’s Office at the meeting.
The issue of police and police instructor recruitment has been a frequent topic of discussion among local officials. Police recruits in Kentucky must undergo 80 hours of online work followed by 20 weeks of basic in-person training at an established training academy. The closest basic training academy is in Richmond, meaning there are no local options for recruits in NKY. Coupled with a long backlog for the existing academies, many contend this has unnecessarily extended the time it takes to get an officer on the street.
Morgan believed the bill was a step towards remedying the situation.
“The bill request was out, and we had a bill within two to three days,” Morgan said. “… This is going to help the Northern Kentucky Director to have a voice on the board and start progressing forward.”
The bill will likely be heard in committee later this week, Dietz said. LINK nky will continue reporting on this issue as information becomes available.