The Owensboro Police Department has officially been approved to become a basic law enforcement training academy, meaning recruits can now attend the required 20 weeks of training in Owensboro.
Over the last two years, OPD representatives have worked to develop the academy. In addition to developing the curriculum and upgrading the range, OPD constructed a new 5,000-square-foot building with 2 classrooms, 3 offices, a kitchen, a fitness area, a simulator room, a firearm cleaning/maintenance room, and bathrooms with locker rooms and showers.
Lt. Courtney Yerington presented a proposal to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council on November 2. With the approval from the KLEC, Owensboro becomes 1 of the 6 bases for basic law enforcement training.
Recruits will receive training in the following areas: Patrol Procedures; Physical Training; Vehicle Operations; Defensive Tactics; Criminal Law; Traffic and DUI Enforcement; Firearms; Criminal Investigations; Report Writing; and Tactical Responses to Crisis Situations.
Police Chief Art Ealum said that with the new academy in Owensboro, OPD will be able to better recruit and train new hires.
“There will be a more focused, centric curriculum here for the community, and then people can stay home in their own beds,” Ealum said of the benefits. “It’s going to be a significant improvement in what we’ve been doing.”
The first class has not yet begun. OPD expects to announce more information soon.
