The best police departments in Kentucky are the ones that have diversity, high quality of life for employees, multiple career advancement opportunities, low crime rates, and affordable cost of living.
These are all important factors when applying to be a police officer.
On this list, you will find 11 cities that fit these criteria and offer great law enforcement careers.
However, before you start applying to any of these departments, it is important that you read the requirements and qualifications for each agency.
What are The Requirements for Police Applicants in Kentucky?
All applicants to the police force must meet specific qualifications, including age restrictions.
Here are some of the requirements that you must meet to become a police officer in Kentucky:
- -Minimum age is usually 21 years old
- -Officers must have excellent vision, with or without corrective lenses
- -Need to be able to run, scale fences, and pursue suspects on foot
- -Must be a U.S. citizen
- -No felony convictions or criminal activity that would reflect poorly on the police department
- -Must be available to work any shift
- -High school diploma or GED required, as well as a clean background
- -Must successfully complete a physical agility test and written exam, as well as psychological tests.
11 Best Police Department Agencies in Kentucky
Now that you know the qualifications, here are eleven of Kentucky’s best departments to work for:
1. Frankfort Police Department
The cost of living in Frankfort is actually higher than the state average, but it still has one of the lowest crime rates around.
The police department offers several career advancement opportunities and excellent starting pay for new recruits.
As an officer here, you will be working to keep this city safe with a population of under 20,000 people.
The top employer is the state of Kentucky, with many opportunities for advancement.
The city has a rich history and culture that are worth exploring if you are interested in serving as an officer here.
2. Lexington Police Department (LPD) – Lexington, KY
With one of the best quality of life ratings in Kentucky and an extremely low crime rate, Lexington is a great place to work as a police officer.
LPD offers many career advancement opportunities and pays its officers very well.
The department also has a diverse workforce that reflects the city’s population.
In addition to these benefits, Lexington is also home to the University of Kentucky, making it an attractive place to live for those with families.
The cost of living in Lexington is also lower than the state average.
If you are looking for a great place to work as a police officer, look no further than LPD.
3. Somerset Police Department – Somerset, KY
The cost of living in this city is below the state average and its crime rate is well below the national average.
The police department offers many career advancement opportunities, as well as excellent starting pay for new recruits.
In addition to these benefits, the city has a low cost of living and an extremely low crime rate.
If you are considering a future in law enforcement or have applied to Somerset Police Department already, this could be a great place for you to work.
4. Bowling Green Police Department (BGPD) – Bowling Green, KY
The BGPD is a small police department with only around 60 officers.
However, this department offers many opportunities for career growth and advancement.
Officers also receive excellent pay and benefits, making it a great place to work.
In addition to its many benefits, BGPD is also located in a city with one of the lowest crime rates around.
If you are looking for excellent pay and benefits, BGPD could be your perfect match.
5. Berea Police Department – Berea, KY
The Berea PD is a small police department with very few officers.
However, this department offers many opportunities for career growth and advancement.
Officers also receive excellent pay and benefits, making it a great place to work.
In addition to its many benefits, BGPD is also located in a city with one of the lowest crime rates around.
If you are looking for excellent pay and benefits, BGPD could be your perfect match.
The cost of living is also lower than average here as well.
So if you’re thinking about applying to work at this agency, it’s definitely something that should be taken into account.
6. Erlanger Police Department – Erlanger, KY
Erlanger is a municipality of around 20,000 people.
This city has a low cost of living and a low crime rate.
Police officers in Erlanger offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits.
The Erlanger Police Department is also very attractive to potential recruits because of its diversity.
Erlanger is one of the best places for police employment opportunities because it has high-quality schools, affordable housing options, abundant recreational activities, and great public safety services.
7. Newport Police Department – Newport, KY
Newport is a small city of around 15,000 people.
This town has lower than average crime rates and low housing costs.
The police department offers competitive salaries with excellent benefits to potential recruits.
It also provides officers with opportunities for career advancement within the agency.
The environment at this police department is very attractive to recruits because it is safe, quiet, and has a small-town feel.
Newport law enforcement officers also enjoy easy access to local amenities like restaurants, grocery stores, shopping malls, parks, and recreation centers.
8. Richmond Police Department – Richmond, KY
This city has a population of around 25,000 people.
Crime rates are lower than average and real estate is more affordable here.
The police department offers competitive salaries with excellent benefits to potential recruits.
Notable attractions in Richmond include the Eastern Kentucky University, Historic Downtown Richmond, and the Oldham County Jail Museum.
Richmond PD also has a commendable diversity rate.
9. Hopkinsville Police Department – Hopkinsville, KY
This city is home to the Fort Campbell military base.
It also has lower real estate prices compared to other Kentucky cities of similar size.
The police department provides competitive salaries with excellent benefits.
Also notable about this agency are its diverse workforce and management opportunities for career development within the department.
The Hopkinsville Police Department is an excellent place to work for police officers who are looking for a military-friendly community with plenty of amenities and activities to enjoy.
10. Fort Thomas Police Department – Fort Thomas, KY
Fort Thomas is a municipality of around 16,000 people.
Its police department offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits to potential recruits.
This city has low crime rates and affordable real estate prices as well as an active nightlife with plenty of restaurants and entertainment venues for officers to enjoy after work.
Fort Thomas is a great place for police employment opportunities because of its low cost of living, abundant recreational activities, and entertainment venues.
11. Louisville Metro Police Department – Louisville, KY
Louisville has a population exceeding 750,000 residents and an active nightlife with many restaurants and entertainment venues to enjoy after work.
The city has a high crime rate and expensive real estate.
The Louisville Metro Police Department offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits to potential recruits.
This agency is also very diverse with a large number of employees from different backgrounds.
Louisville police officers have the opportunity for career advancement within the department.
Despite its disadvantages, Louisville remains an attractive place to work for police officers because of its size and the many opportunities it offers for career development.
How to Find a Police Job in KY?
If you are looking for a police job in Kentucky, the best place to start your search is on the website of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC).
This website provides a list of all law enforcement agencies in the state along with their contact information.
You can also find job openings on KLEC’s website.
Another great resource for finding police jobs is Indeed, a website that aggregates job postings from different sources online.
Both KLEC and Indeed provide detailed information about open positions such as the qualifications required, salaries offered, and benefits provided.
You can also use these websites to browse for jobs in specific cities or towns throughout Kentucky.
Many police departments have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts where they post job openings from time to time.
Using social media is another great way to find police jobs in Kentucky.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the best police department agencies to work for in Kentucky.
Police applicants should research the different departments in their area and see which one offers the best combination of salary, benefits, career advancement opportunities, and quality of life.
Working as a law enforcement officer can be challenging but also very rewarding. Those who are passionate about serving and protecting their communities will find many excellent employment opportunities in Kentucky.
