Providing a lifeline to Kentuckians and law enforcement officers
HAZARD, Ky. (Jan. 27, 2023) — The Kentucky State Police (KSP) announced 14 telecommunicators, representing eight posts across the commonwealth, have graduated from the KSP Telecommunications Academy and are ready to begin answering the call for assistance to both citizens and law enforcement throughout the commonwealth.
The graduates of Class 21 received 160 hours of instruction over four weeks. Major training areas include legal liability, limits of telecommunicator authority, telecommunicator’s role in public safety, interpersonal communications, customer service, combating stress and PTSD, ethics and confidentiality, responder safety, basic fire dispatch, state emergency operation plans, criminal justice information systems, first aid training, emergency medical dispatch and special needs callers.
During the academy, graduates were required to successfully process scripted calls for service and demonstrate proficiency in obtaining pertinent information, dispatching responders, providing emergency medical dispatch if needed, and correctly documenting information from the call for assistance. The training concluded with a computer simulation system that simulates their work environment in the radio room.
“I am proud of our newest telecommunication academy graduates,” says Post 13 Commander Jennifer Sandlin. “They have worked hard during their training and Post 13 is proud to have them join our team.”
The Post 13 graduates of the 21st KSP Telecommunications Academy included:
Ethan B. Brown, of Letcher County. Brown is a graduate of Letcher County Central High School. He is the son of Daphne Combs and Bruce Brown.
Kyler Calhoun, of Knott County. Calhoun is a graduate of Knott County Central High School. He is the son of Wendi and David Blair.
To apply for a telecommunicator position with KSP, click here, or contact the KSP post nearest to you for more information. The starting salary for KSP telecommunicators ranges from $27,733 to $33,559 annually based on experience, plus a $3,100 training stipend after successful completion of the Telecommunications Academy. Additional benefits include paid holidays, paid vacation, paid sick leave and the opportunity to earn compensatory pay.
The requirements to become a KSP telecommunicator include:
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to multi-task
- Ability to handle extremely stressful and challenging conditions
- Handle flexible work schedules, including nights, weekends and holidays
- Ability to learn and adapt, especially in areas of technology
- Must be a High School Graduate
The mission of KSP is to promote public safety through service, integrity and professionalism using partnerships to prevent, reduce and deter crime and the fear of crime, enhance highway safety through education and enforcement, safeguard property and protect individual rights.
The number one priority for KSP is to create a better Kentucky by making the commonwealth’s streets safer, communities stronger and the nation more secure by providing exceptional law enforcement made up of a diverse workforce. For more information about career opportunities with KSP visit the website.
# # #
