Tomorrow’s heroes learn law enforcement career development skills at innovative program.
ALBANY, Ky. (Aug. 1, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 28 young Kentuckians graduated from the second annual class of the Kentucky State Police Youth Academy Program. The week-long program allowed the next generation of law enforcement to interact with state police troopers and officers while learning leadership skills, physical fitness requirements and law enforcement principles.
“During my time as Governor, our young people have consistently blown me away, and the graduates from the Kentucky State Police Youth Academy Program are no different,” Gov. Beshear said. “I’m proud of these young people for taking an interest in protecting and serving their fellow citizens, and I’m proud of the Kentucky State Police for continuing to build trust between kids and our heroes.”
Throughout the weeklong program, participants participated in a diverse array of activities and instruction, including exploration of core values and ethics fundamental to law enforcement, team-building exercises to cultivate collaboration and camaraderie, hands-on demonstrations from the KSP Crime Lab to understand forensic techniques, and an introduction to criminal investigations and crime scene analysis.
“This program gives young people a realistic and inspiring glimpse into the work of law enforcement,” Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said. “We are proud to invest in these future leaders and hopeful that some may one day wear the uniform and serve our commonwealth.”
The Youth Academy Program, launched in 2024, continues to grow in popularity while offering 16- and 17-year-old Kentuckians an opportunity to engage with troopers and gain firsthand insight into a career in public safety.
“Programs like this allow us to build relationships and plant the seeds of service early,” Trooper Island Camp Commander Scott Ferrell said. “We’re not only showing them what a career with the Kentucky State Police looks like, we’re giving them the confidence to imagine themselves in it.”
The second annual Youth Academy Program was held July 28 – Aug. 1, 2025, at Trooper Island Camp, located on Dale Hollow Lake. For additional details about the Youth Academy Program, click here.
The KSP Youth Academy Class 2 graduates include:
• Alivia Adkins, Pike County, Ky.
• Kameron Akers, Pike County, Ky.
• Isabelle Banner, Scott County, Ky.
• Gage Chitti, Boone County, Ky.
• Hailey Darling, Adair County, Ky.
• Bradyn Day-Quick, Monroe County, Ky.
• Noah Douglas, Daviess County, Ky.
• Annaleigh Dunkelberger, Hardin County, Ky.
• Cambria Estes, Laurel County, Ky.
• Sawyer Hawkins, Henry County, Ky.
• Victoria Hillard, Fayette County, Ky.
• Allison Hooley, Lawrence County, Ky.
• Grant Jessen, Jefferson County, Ky.
• Jonah Jordan, Muhlenberg County, Ky.
• Caleb Knight, Whitley County, Ky.
• Daxton Lee, Trigg County, Ky.
• Noah Lindon, Scott County, Ky.
• Gabriel Lucas, Garrard County, Ky.
• Zachary May, Laurel County, Ky.
• Nolan Payne-McGrew, Daviess County, Ky.
• Chase Neal, Jefferson County, Ky.
• Jonah O’Quinn, Morgan County, Ky.
• Haven Parker Whitley County, Ky.
• Laken Shirley, Daviess County, Ky.
• Carson Sims, Knott County, Ky.
• Mason Smith, Bath County, Ky.
• Bryson Swafford, Knott County, Ky.
• Layten Tyree, Whitley County, Ky.
In 2024, 23 Kentuckians graduated from the Youth Academy Program. KSP launched this innovative program last year as part of a broader strategy to strengthen recruitment efforts and to deepen community outreach with Kentucky’s youth. The agency remains committed to developing initiatives that foster interest in public safety careers and reflect the values of service, community and integrity.
The Beshear-Coleman administration is committed to making Kentucky a national leader in public safety by increasing access to addiction resources, improving second chance opportunities, providing support and enhanced training to law enforcement officers and boosting the economy.
The Governor has worked to support victims of crime and sexual abuse since his first day as attorney general, and he continues to do so in the Governor’s Office. As attorney general, Beshear’s office created the Office of Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention and Prosecution, created the Survivor’s Council and arrested a historic number of child predators. Since becoming Governor, the Beshear-Coleman administration has awarded more than $149 million in grant funding to victim service agencies across the commonwealth. The Governor has also signed legislation to make sexual extortion a felony and strengthened statutory language to include other forms of abuse and sexual exploitation of minors.
Since Gov. Beshear took office, fewer Kentuckians have returned to prison after their release. In February, it was announced that nearly 70% of those released from state custody have not returned. Following this announcement, the Governor established the Team Kentucky Office of Reentry Services, which works to coordinate reentry services across state government to ensure everyone leaving prison has access to quality second chance resources. The administration also continues to work with employers to provide good-paying jobs to inmates upon their release, further reducing the chances of reoffending.
For three straight years, overdose deaths have decreased in Kentucky. In 2024, the commonwealth saw 30.2% fewer overdose deaths than the year before, thanks to the increased availability of naloxone and recovery services across the state. To continue this work, four more counties were certified as Recovery Ready Communities in May for their ability to provide addiction and recovery treatment, job services and transportation to these services, bringing the number of certified counties up to 25.
(Sherry Bray – Kentucky State Police)