Beech Tree News Network

On July 6, Butler County native Joshua "Josh" Amos, graduated from the Kentucky State Police Academy as a part of the agency's third Law Enforcement Accelerated Program (LEAP,) a condensed course for current police officers who have at least three years of full-time employment with a Kentucky Law Enforcement agency or agencies as a Peace Officer Professional Standards (POPS) certified police officer. Cadet Class 90 completed the 11-week program which began on April 15. 

The Academy presented diplomas to 40 new troopers at ceremonies held in Frankfort. With the addition of these graduates, the KSP has a total of 948 troopers serving the state. 

In order to qualify for the LEAP program, Amos and the other cadets had to have the endorsement of a current KSP Trooper and pass an interview, a written exam at 70% or higher and a physical standards test as well as other requirements.

The LEAP training included more than 1,000 hours of classroom and field work in subjects including constitutional law, juvenile and traffic law, use of force, weapons training, defensive tactics, first aid, high speed vehicle pursuit, criminal investigation, computer literacy, hostage negotiations, evidence collection, radio procedures, search and seizure, crash investigation, drug identification, traffic control, crowd control, armed robbery response, land navigation, electronic crimes, sex crimes, hate crimes, domestic violence, bomb threats and hazardous materials.

According to Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown, who addressed the cadets,  they have served in 28 different law enforcement agencies throughout the Commonwealth and collectively represent 215 years of law enforcement experience. He cited the important difference now is that they wear a patch on their shoulders and the word ‘Trooper.'

KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer awarded the diplomas, and the Honorable Sara W. Combs, Chief Justice, Ky. Court of Appeals, administered the oath of office to the cadets. 

Amos served as deputy for Sheriff Joe Gaddie and was also a Morgantown City Police officer.

Amos, who lives with his wife Terri and sons Will and Clay in the Leonard Oak community, has been assigned to the KSP's Post 3, in Bowling Green.