Lexington, Kentucky, December 5, 2025
The Lexington Police Department has announced the swearing-in of 20 new officers who have completed a rigorous 26-week training program. The recruits were trained in defensive tactics, firearms, community policing, and mental health response. The graduation ceremony, attended by city officials, highlighted the department’s commitment to serving the community with integrity and dedication. Following this milestone, the new officers will enter a 15-week field training phase before starting solo patrols.
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington Police Department Swears in 20 New Officers
The Lexington Police Department has expanded its force by 20 new officers, following their completion of a comprehensive 26-week training program. The recruits underwent extensive instruction in areas such as defensive tactics, firearms qualification, community policing, and mental-health response. The graduation ceremony was attended by Mayor Linda Gorton and Police Chief Lawrence Weathers, who commended the officers for their dedication and commitment to serving the community.
Rigorous Training Program
The recruits participated in a demanding 27-week training program that included both classroom instruction and practical field exercises. They were trained in various aspects of law enforcement, including patrol procedures, physical training, vehicle operations, defensive tactics, criminal law, traffic and DUI enforcement, firearms, criminal investigations, cultural awareness, bias-related crimes, and tactical responses to crisis situations. This comprehensive training aimed to prepare them for the challenges they will face in their law enforcement careers.
Community Support and Future Plans
The graduation ceremony was marked by strong community support, with attendees from sheriff’s departments across the Bluegrass, Lexington Fire, city council members, and local judges. Chief Weathers emphasized the importance of community service, stating that the department’s mission is to serve and protect all residents and visitors in the city with a high level of integrity, transparency, and dedication to community policing. The new officers will now enter a 15-week field training phase as probationary officers, after which they will begin solo patrols before being cleared for full duty.
Background
The Lexington Police Department is the largest division within the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, with an authorized strength of 641 sworn officers and nearly 150 civilian personnel. The department’s mission is to serve and protect all residents and visitors in the city with a high level of integrity, transparency, and dedication to community policing. Chief Lawrence Weathers leads the department, which has jurisdiction over all of Fayette County, encompassing urban areas, suburban neighborhoods, and rural countryside. The department offers various career paths, including specialized units such as K9, Collision Reconstruction, Criminal Investigations, Emergency Response Team, Forensic Services, and Traffic Enforcement. Officers earn competitive pay, enjoy attractive benefits, and have many opportunities for growth through a variety of assignments within the department.
- What is the Lexington Police Department’s mission?
- The department’s mission is to serve and protect all residents and visitors in the city with a high level of integrity, transparency, and dedication to community policing.
- How many new officers were sworn in?
- 20 new officers were sworn in after completing a comprehensive 26-week training program.
- What areas did the training program cover?
- The training program included defensive tactics, firearms qualification, community policing, and mental-health response.
- Who attended the graduation ceremony?
- The ceremony was attended by Mayor Linda Gorton and Police Chief Lawrence Weathers, along with attendees from sheriff’s departments across the Bluegrass, Lexington Fire, city council members, and local judges.
- What is the next step for the new officers?
- The new officers will enter a 15-week field training phase as probationary officers, after which they will begin solo patrols before being cleared for full duty.
- What is the size of the Lexington Police Department?
- The department has an authorized strength of 641 sworn officers and nearly 150 civilian personnel, making it the largest division within the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of New Officers | 20 |
| Training Program Duration | 26 weeks |
| Training Areas Covered | Defensive tactics, firearms qualification, community policing, mental-health response |
| Graduation Ceremony Attendees | Mayor Linda Gorton, Police Chief Lawrence Weathers, sheriff’s departments, Lexington Fire, city council members, local judges |
| Next Step for Officers | 15-week field training phase as probationary officers, followed by solo patrols and full duty clearance |
| Lexington Police Department Size | 641 sworn officers and nearly 150 civilian personnel |
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