A person certified after December 1, 1998, under KRS § 15.380 to KRS § 15.404 or qualified under the requirements set forth in KRS § 15.440(1)(d)6. shall, at the time of becoming certified, meet the following minimum qualifications:
(1) Be a citizen of the United States;
(2) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
(3) (a) Be a high school graduate, regardless of whether the school is accredited or certified by a governing body, provided that the education received met the attendance and curriculum standards of Kentucky law at the time of graduation, as determined by the Kentucky Department of Education; or
(b) Possess a High School Equivalency Diploma; (4) Possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle; (5) Be fingerprinted for a criminal background check;
(6) Not have been convicted of any felony; a misdemeanor under KRS § 510.120,
510.130, or 510.140; a second or subsequent offense under KRS § 510.148; or a criminal attempt, conspiracy, facilitation, or solicitation to commit any degree of rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, or sexual misconduct; or have had any offense listed under this subsection expunged;
(7) Not be prohibited by federal or state law from possessing a firearm;
(8) Have received and read the Kentucky Law Enforcement Officers Code of Ethics as established by the council;
(9) Have not received a dishonorable discharge, bad conduct discharge, or general discharge under other than honorable conditions, if having served in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States;
(10) Have passed a medical examination as defined by the council by administrative regulation and provided by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse to determine if he can perform peace officer duties as determined by a validated job task analysis. However, if the employing agency has its own validated job task analysis, the person shall pass the medical examination, appropriate to the agency’s job task analysis, of the employing agency. All agencies shall certify passing medical examination results to the council, which shall accept them as complying with KRS § 15.310 to KRS § 15.510;
(11) Have passed a drug screening test administered or approved by the council by administrative regulation. A person shall be deemed to have passed a drug screening test if the results of the test are negative for the use of an illegal controlled substance or prescription drug abuse. Any agency that administers its own test that meets or exceeds this standard shall certify passing test results to the council, which shall accept them as complying with KRS § 15.310 to KRS § 15.510;
(12) Have undergone a background investigation established or approved by the council by administrative regulation to determine suitability for the position of a peace officer. If the employing agency has established its own background investigation that meets or exceeds the standards of the council, as set forth by administrative regulation, the agency shall conduct the background investigation and shall certify
background investigation results to the council, which shall accept them as complying with KRS § 15.310 to KRS § 15.510;
(13) Have been interviewed by the employing agency;
(14) Not have had certification as a peace officer permanently revoked in another state; (15) Have taken a psychological suitability screening administered or approved by the
council by administrative regulation to determine the person’s suitability to perform
peace officer duties as determined by a council validated job task analysis. However, if the employing agency has its own validated job task analysis, the person shall take that agency’s psychological examination, appropriate to the agency’s job task analysis. All agencies shall certify psychological examination results to the council, which shall accept them as complying with KRS § 15.310 to
15.510;
(16) Have passed a physical agility test administered or approved by the council by administrative regulation to determine his suitability to perform peace officer duties as determined by a council validated job task analysis. However, if the employing agency has its own validated job task analysis, the person shall take the physical agility examination of the employing agency. All agencies shall certify physical agility examination results to the council, which shall accept them as demonstrating compliance with KRS § 15.310 to KRS § 15.510; and
(17) Have taken a polygraph examination administered or approved by the council by administrative regulation to determine his suitability to perform peace officer duties. Any agency that administers its own polygraph examination as approved by the council shall certify the results that indicate whether a person is suitable for employment as a peace officer to the council, which shall accept them as complying with KRS § 15.310 to KRS § 15.510.
Effective: June 29, 2023
History: Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 170, sec. 3, effective June 29, 2023. — Amended
2022 Ky. Acts ch. 232, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2022. — Amended 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 73, sec. 6, effective June 29, 2021. — Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 12, effective January 1, 2019. — Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 63, sec. 3, effective June
29, 2017. — Amended 2016 Ky. Acts ch. 5, sec. 1, effective March 18, 2016; and ch.
87, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2016. — Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 139, sec. 3, effective June 26, 2007. — Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 132, sec. 2, effective July 15,
2002. — Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 480, sec. 4, effective July 14, 2000. — Created
1998 Ky. Acts ch. 606, sec. 100, effective December 1, 1998.