Justice and Public Safety Cabinet
DOCJT GRADUATES 20 OFFICERS FROM SERGEANTS’ COURSE

RICHMOND, Ky. – “Most police officers remember their first sergeant,” said Fort Thomas Chief Mike Daly, guest speaker for the Academy of Police Supervision Class 14 graduation. “It is very important for you as sergeants to understand the enormous impact that you will have on officers within your police department.” 

Officers from 17 law enforcement agencies across Kentucky were recognized today for completing the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Academy of Police Supervision.

The APS, also referred to as the sergeant’s academy, is a three-week (120-hour) training program for newly promoted sergeants or officers who are on their agency’s promotion list.

During the ceremony, Chief Daly emphasized the importance of sergeants’ ability to identify their own leadership strengths and style, but also to maintain a high standard of expectation both for themselves and those under their supervision.

“In your position as sergeant, you will learn that you are responsive to both the management of the department and to the men and women under your immediate supervision,” Daly said. “In your role as sergeant, you need to set a very high example in the areas of honesty, hard work, loyalty and duty. As a leader you need to lead by example both on and off the job.”

APS Class 14 speaker Brian Krueger described the change the class experienced while in the academy.

“I initially thought we were here to become better supervisors,” he said. “But I discovered that what it was we developed into was not better supervisors, but better people.”

While in the course, students participate in classes focusing on the role of a supervisor, as well as leadership, resolving conflict, managing diversity, monitoring officer performance, professional image, legal issues for supervisors, ethics, interpersonal communication, effective written communication, making decisions, solving problems, managing critical incidents, public speaking, emotional survival, budgeting, media relations and others.

The program includes reading and writing assignments and scenario-based exercises designed to enhance the students’ ability to perform at the supervisor’s level in their agencies. APS is hands-on, with as much skill demonstration as classroom work.

The APS is a stepping stone to the Criminal Justice Executive Development program, which is a five-week advanced leadership course offered once a year for supervisors at Kentucky’s small- and medium-size law enforcement agencies.

The APS held its first class in June 2003. Since then, 14 classes have graduated from the program.

APS Class 14 graduates and their agencies are:

Charles R. Adams, Jr., Frankfort Police Department

Larry Alexander, Mayfield Police Department

Virgil W. Barnett, Middlesboro Police Department

Henry E. Blades, Nicholasville Police Department

John W. Costigan, Jr., University of Kentucky Police Department

Leslie S. Fischer, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

Raymond J. Harper, Louisville Metro Police Department

Michael A. Jones, Paris Police Department

Casey A. Kilgore, Ft. Thomas Police Department

Brian W. Krueger, Paducah Police Department

Robert C. McPherson, University of Kentucky Police Department

Jeremiah Nieves, Jr., Louisville Metro Police Department

Lisa O’Hearn, Maysville Police Department

Hal S. Parrish, Scottsville Police Department

Christopher A. Savchick, Newport Police Department

Robert A. Schneider, Hopkinsville Police Department

James M. Schwab, Jr., Louisville Metro Police Department

Melvin Simmons, III, Jefferson County Public Schools

Kendra F. Smith, Murray Police Department

Scott A. Wade, Franklin Police Department

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