Kentucky Police Academy Requirements

Joining a police academy is a milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. The Kentucky police academy requirements are intended to set a high standard potential officers. Below are all the requirements and disqualifying factors. Be aware that there is a lot of competition for police jobs so going above the minimum requirements is advised. Kentucky police academy requirements consist of, in part, the following:

General Academy Information

The Kentucky State Police Academy prepares applicants to become state troopers with the Kentucky State Police. Graduating from the policy academy is a rigorous procedure, with many physical and mental assessments. The academy operates in a military-like atmosphere and trains recruits in criminal investigation, traffic law, firearms, defensive training and other aspects of the state trooper’s job. Academy training lasts 23 weeks.

Age Requirement

A State Trooper Recruit must be at least 21 years of age at time of employment. There is no upper age limit. Note: The on-line application asks if you are at least 21 years of age, or will be 21 within six months.

Residency and Citizenship Requirement

Applicants are required to be residents of Iowa with a valid Kentucky driver’s license. Additionally, applicants must be citizens of the United States of America.

Educational Requirement

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) time of application.  It is not a requirement that the diploma or GED be obtained within Kentucky. Applicant will be required to take a written/oral examination, psychological test, as well as a polygraph examination.

Automatic Disqualification Factors

Applicants are advised that the Kentucky State Police will automatically disqualify any applicant who does not meet the general requirements as detailed above.  In addition, the following information is provided regarding our criteria for automatic disqualification:

• Falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of any information during the completion of the Polygraph Screening Booklet, the Polygraph Examination, the Formal Application for Employment, and any other documents/processes associated with the Cadet Selection Procedures.
• Substance abuse/use within a prescribed time frame and/or that is beyond what is considered experimental by the Kentucky State Police.
• Criminal arrests/behavior which would not reflect well on the Kentucky State Police.

The core purpose of the Kentucky State Police is to seek justice, preserve peace, and improve the quality of life for all.  As such, the Department has established the core values of Honor, Service, Integrity, Respect, Trust, Courage, and Duty, and is seeking applicants who possess these traits and conduct themselves accordingly.  Certain issues within a person’s background have been identified which will result in automatic disqualification, including but not limited to:  criminal conduct (actual arrest and/or admission of behavior whether or not arrested) and substance abuse.

A preliminary determination will be made by the Kentucky State Police based upon information supplied; therefore, applicants must be forthright and honest in documenting their conduct. Be advised that this preliminary determination is not binding as it is made based upon information provided by the applicant only. Should an applicant continue in the selection process, the conduct will then be discussed and documented with a Kentucky State Police Officer.

Applicants are advised that all information provided to the Iowa State Police is to contain no misrepresentation, falsification, omissions, or concealment of material fact and that, upon submission of any official document (on-line or otherwise), applicants swear or affirm that all information provided is true, complete, and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.  Applicants are further advised that all information provided is subject to later investigation.

Physical Readiness Requirements

– Law enforcement officers that maintain a high degree of physical conditioning are less prone to be affected by the stressful conditions of the job, sustain fewer injuries, and utilize less leave time related to illness. Kentucky police academy physical conditioning program combines strength training and aerobic exercise to help students develop good exercise habits and to improve their fitness level throughout the academy. It is strongly recommended that recruits begin a fitness regimen before beginning academy training.

Physical Readiness Test

– The tests and standards have been validated to ensure that an applicant, if selected to an academy class, will have a reasonable chance of success in attaining a higher standard of Physical Readiness during cadet training. Failure of any one test excludes the applicant from further processing.
Academy physical training requires a great deal of physical strength and stamina. Both the written test and the physical abilities test are designed to measure an applicant’s ability to perform satisfactorily at the police academy and on the State’s Minimum Standards test. The physical abilities test may include such tasks as:

Five (5) physical fitness tests will be given in (3)

hours, in the following order:

• ƒ Bench Press (% of body weight – conversion)
• ƒ Sit up Test (1 minute time limit)
• ƒ 300 Meter Run
• ƒ Push up Test (2 minute time limit)
• ƒ 1.5 Mile Run

Currently, the test battery consists of five items.  Dr. Bryant Stamford and Dr.Robert Moffatt completed the present study in the summer of 2009.  This new approach employs an “overall” scoring scheme which allows a lower score on one test item to be compensated by a higher score on another test item.

How Will You Score on the Test? The following chart is used to determine the points earned for each event. In order to meet the state standard, an overall minimum of 50 points must be achieved. Failure to meet the overall minimum requirement constitutes a failure for the test battery.  Opportunities to retest are granted at the sole discretion of the hiring agency.

Physical Performance Points Distribution

NOTE:  The eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time.