Basic Training

• Approximately 32 weeks in length.
• Covers broad spectrum of Law Enforcement Activities.
• Recruits are challenged academically and physically.
• Recruits are required to pass weekly written exams and a comprehensive final exam.
• Recruits are required to pass practical skills tests in Defensive Tactics, Firearms, and Driving.
• Minimum passing score on all exams is 75% or higher.
• Mandatory physical fitness standards.

The Academy is Monday through Friday. Hours may vary based upon training needs. A typical day begins at 7:45 a.m. with inspection, followed by class, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Classes are in session until 5:00 p.m. Recruits are dismissed to go home for the evening. At home they will have studies to complete, uniforms to prepare, and physical conditioning to do.

Uniforms and Equipment

All uniforms and equipment are purchased new and supplied for each recruit. The recruit will be given a monthly uniform allowance to maintain and replace the equipment. The equipment expenditures for a new recruit are the purchase of Physical Training clothing to be used during the academy.

The Basic Training Academy is divided into 3 phases:

Orientation: This phase lasts three weeks. In the Orientation phase, Recruit Officers will receive equipment and become oriented to the academy's rules, policies, and procedures. Recruit Officers will also complete mandatory training required of new Urban County Government employees including orientation to the Division of Police and signing up for various benefits.

Certified: The Certified phase lasts 27 weeks and is monitored by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. Topics include: Legal, Defensive Tactics and Physical Training, Patrol Operations, Patrol Skills, Investigations, Firearms, and Advanced Skills. At the end of the Certified phase, the Recruit Officer will be sworn as a Police Officer, but will remain in the academy to complete the last phase of classroom training.

Non-certified: This phase lasts 2 weeks. The purpose of the Non-certified phase is to teach Recruit Officers specific procedures relative to the Division of Police. topics include: Civil Disturbance, Geography, Patrol Standard Operating Procedures, Unit Overviews and introductory presentations from various county, state, and federal agencies the new officer will work with in the course of performing his/her duties. At the end of the Non-certified phase, the recruit will graduate and begin the Field Training Officer Program.

Field Training Officer Program

The Field Training Officer Program includes two separate training phases:

Field Training Officer Phase: This phase of training lasts twelve (12) weeks. The recruit officer will ride with a patrol officer that is a certified Field Training Officer (FTO). This phase allows the Recruit Officer to apply the academy training in a practical situation under the close guidance of an experienced Police Officer. The Recruit Officer will be required to demonstrate the job knowledge and skills necessary to be a Police Officer. The Recruit Officer will be assigned to each of the three different sectors in the Bureau of Patrol and will work with three separate FTO's for a period of 4 weeks each.

Solo: This phase continues until the end of the Recruit Officer's probationary period which begins on the date they are sworn-in. In this phase the Recruit Officer will be assigned to solo patrol duties. This phase is conducted under the close supervision of a squad sergeant and will determine if the Recruit Officer has the ability to be a permanent Police Officer with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Division of Police.