By Tony McVeigh
Frankfort, KY – In Frankfort, Kentucky State Police cadets hoping to become state troopers are enduring the demanding physical and mental training required for the job. The recruits are badly needed.
Due to tight budgets and retirements, staffing levels at Kentucky State Police are at a 25-year low, and the cadets now in training are needed to help fill the ranks.
"We're very excited that Gov. Beshear has given us the latitude to be able to hire right now. We have had quite an attrition rate due to retirements. So, this is going to be much needed when these folks get out on October 30th."
KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer says 79 recruits, including two women, reported for the grueling 23-week training program, but at least 11 dropped out in the first week. The drop-out rate is usually around 20 percent, but Brewer says there can be no compromise on training standards. He says law enforcement is a tough job in these times and it gets tougher every day.