Class 23 Graduates: Front Row (left to right): Theresa Raymer, Sara Conway, Natalie Allen, Hadley Montgomery, and Kyle Middleton. Back Row (left to right): Jonathan Benham, Kayla Wedge, Daniel Nealy, Jordan Kinser, and Katie Bates
FRANKFORT, KY — On Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) announced ten telecommunicators, assigned to seven posts across the commonwealth, have graduated from the KSP Telecommunications Academy and are ready to answer calls for service from Kentuckians and law enforcement.
"These Kentuckians have undergone rigorous training to ensure they're equipped to handle the needs of our citizens and law enforcement officers," said Gov. Beshear. "I commend their dedication to public service, commitment to keeping our communities safe and vision of creating a better, safer Kentucky for all."
KSP telecommunicators handle dispatch duties for Kentucky state troopers, commercial vehicle enforcement officers, conservation officers and other emergency service agencies as needed. In 2023, telecommunicators answered over one million calls, resulting in more than 400,000 requests for assistance.
"Telecommunicators are the lifeline to our troopers and officers," said KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. (right) "We are thankful to have these ten Kentuckians joining our agency to help enhance public safety for all."
The graduates of Class 23 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 first 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 simulated their work environment in the radio room.
"Class 23 has shown exceptional proficiency in handling emergency calls and navigating high-stress situations," said KSP Telecommunications Instructor Jason Long. "Telecommunicators play a crucial role in ensuring the effective response to emergencies across Kentucky, and I look forward to seeing their contributions to our commonwealth."
Class 23 graduates and their assigned posts are:
- Hadley Montgomery, Post 1, Mayfield
- Katie Bates, Post 1, Mayfield
- Natalie Allen, Post 2, Madisonville
- Daniel Nealy, Post 3, Bowling Green
- Jordan Kinser, Post 3, Bowling Green
- Kayla Wedge, Post 5, Campbellsburg
- Theresa Raymer, Post 5, Campbellsburg
- Jonathan Benham, Post 6, Dry Ridge
- Kyle Middleton, Post 10, Harlan
- Sara Conway, Post 16, Henderson
After each class, the 'Charlotte Tanner Valedictorian' Award is presented to the graduate who earned the highest-class GPA and demonstrated extraordinary effort during the KSP Telecommunications Academy. The award is named in honor of the founder of the KSP telecommunications program, Charlotte Tanner, who served the commonwealth for more than 50 years as a telecommunicator, radio room supervisor and instructor.
This year's Charlotte Tanner Valedictorian Award has been awarded to Hadley Montgomery, with a grade point average of 98.57%.
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 agency is continuing to recruit interested individuals to join Team Kentucky and provide critical assistance and assurance to their neighbors and loved ones. To apply for a telecommunicator position with KSP, click here or contact the KSP post nearest you for more information.
