Kentucky is working to address the critical police shortage across the Commonwealth by recruiting retiring military service members. Governor Beshear announced the Military to Law Enforcement Program Thursday.
The program allows local law enforcement agencies in Kentucky to hire active service members within all branches of the U.S. Military during their last 180 days of service, WKYT reports.
After they are contracted by a law enforcement agency, the military member will continue to receive their pay and benefits from the U.S. Military while they go through law enforcement training at the Department of Criminal Justice.
“Across the nation, law enforcement agencies are struggling to hire and retain officers,” said Beshear. “I commend our state agencies for working together to create an attractive incentive for both our service members and police agencies focused on improving public safety throughout the commonwealth’s 120 diverse counties.”