Recruitment and Pay: Kentucky’s Path to Strengthening Its Police Force

Considering a career in law enforcement? Released just before National Police Week, WalletHub's 2025 ranking of the best and worst states to be a police officer evaluates states across 30 key metrics, including officer compensation, training requirements, and job hazards. While California tops the list, Kentucky ranks near the bottom. Here's why.

We are fortunate to have so many dedicated men and women in uniform who care for our communities. During National Police Week, we should pause to recognize their service, courage, and sacrifice. Every day, law enforcement officers kiss their families goodbye without knowing if they’ll return home.

WHAT IS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK?

Many officers in our community could pursue opportunities elsewhere, often with higher pay or greater resources, but they choose to stay. They commit to this community, not just as law enforcement professionals, but as neighbors, mentors, and volunteers. Their dedication goes far beyond the job description. In their personal time, they raise money for local causes, support community organizations, and give back in countless ways. Through the events of National Police Week, we recognize and celebrate those efforts not just for their service in uniform, but for the heart they bring to our community every day, according to www.nationalpoliceweek.org.

OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION SIGNED IN 1962

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in several planned events that honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

National Police Week offers honor, remembrance, and peer support while allowing law enforcement, survivors, and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

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KENTUCKY POLICE OFFICER BREAKDOWN

The personal finance website WalletHub took a deep dive to identify the best and worst states for law enforcement. The study reveals challenges with lower-than-average officer compensation, fewer job protections, and ongoing staffing shortages in Kentucky.

While Kentucky ranks last in the nation for state and local police-protection spending per capita, there’s a promising sign of progress. The state now ranks #1 in the country for median income growth among law enforcement officers from 2023 to 2024. This pay increase reflects the need to invest in those who serve and protect our communities.

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OVERALL RANKING

Overall Rank: 39th

Opportunity & Competition Rank: 10th

Law Enforcement Training Requirements Rank: 29th

Job Hazards & Protections Rank: 44th

Law-Enforcement Officers per Capita: 47th

STATE-BY-STATE FINDINGS

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVE

As we honor those who serve, we must also remember the law enforcement officers who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty and the families and loved ones they leave behind. Their sacrifice reminds us of the risks heroes face to protect us. #Heroes

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