At the Lexington Police Department, we are trained to Set the Standard. Our training academy allows our officers to get the training they need to effectively interact with the public and build relationships within the Lexington community.
Life at the Police Training Academy
The Lexington Police Department Training Academy is a non-residential facility located in Lexington on the Bluegrass Community and Technical College campus. While in the academy, recruits will be challenged both academically and physically each day.
Classes are held Monday-Friday but can change depending on training needs. Days begin at 7:45 a.m. with inspection, followed by instructional classes until around 5 p.m. At the end of each day, recruits return to their own homes. While at home, recruits will have physical training and studies to complete and uniforms to prepare.
All uniforms and equipment are purchased new and supplied for each recruit. Each recruit is given a monthly uniform allowance to maintain and replace the equipment. The equipment expenditures for recruits are the purchase of physical training clothing to be used during the academy.
Training for police officers is made up of two phases: the Basic Training Academy and the Field Training Program. Each phase is then further broken down into additional components. This process helps ensure that every officer who completes the Lexington Police Training Academy Sets the Standard for our community.
Basic Training Academy
The first phase of training is the Basic Training Academy. Basic training is around 28 weeks long and has two phases: Orientation and Certified.
Orientation
During the two-week orientation phase, recruits will receive equipment and become familiar with the academy's rules, policies and procedures. Recruits will also complete the mandatory training required of new LFUCG employees.
Certified
The certified phase lasts 26 weeks and is monitored by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. Recruits will learn from various topics, including law, defensive tactics, physical training, patrol operations, patrol skills, investigations, firearms, and advanced skills. Recruits must earn a minimum passing score of 75 percent or higher on all exams. At the end of the certified phase, the recruit will be sworn in as a police officer and begin the Field Training Program.
Field Training Program
The second phase of training is the Field Training Program. This program lasts until the end of the officer’s probationary period and has two phases: the Field Training Phase and the Solo Phase.
Field Training Phase
This phase of training lasts 15 weeks. The probationary officer will ride with a patrol officer certified as a Field Training Officer (FTO),
allowing them to apply the academy training in a practical situation under the close guidance of an experienced police officer. The probationary officer will be required to demonstrate the job knowledge and skills necessary to be a police officer. The probationary officer will be assigned to each of the three sectors in the Bureau of Patrol and will work with three different FTOs for five weeks each.
Solo Phase
The Solo Phase continues until the probationary officer's probationary period ends, which begins on the date they are sworn in. The probationary officer will be assigned to solo patrol duties. This phase is conducted under the close supervision of a squad sergeant. It will determine if the probationary officer can be a permanent police officer with the Lexington Police Department.