From Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeighKentucky needs more state troopers, and even in tight budget times, efforts are underway to try to rebuild the force.Last week, 56 recruits from across the state reported to the Kentucky State Police Academy in Frankfort to try to become State Troopers. But in state budget hearings, it was revealed only 41 cadets remain in the class. And that number could go even lower says, KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer.“The training is very, very rigorous from a physical standpoint and from a mental standpoint," Brewer said Wednesday. "And there’s a lot of reasons for that, that we don’t make any apologies for. My goal and the goal of the Kentucky State Police Academy is to turnout the very best product for the Commonwealth that we can.”Unlike other state agencies, which suffered four-percent cuts, KSP’s budget is being reduced by two-percent. That was to help the agency, which has its lowest number of Troopers in 30-years, rebuild. Some lawmakers believe it may be time to elevate Vehicle Enforcement officers to State Trooper status, a suggestion KSP has resisted.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.