These instructors are state certified to teach classes by the D.O.C.J.T. Each KLEC instructor must take an 80 hour instructor development course and be approved by the council for certification. KLEC certified instructors are required to teach a D.O.C.J.T. sanctioned course annually to maintain certification. The firearms training program is used to address officer safety and legal issues surrounding the use of deadly force. Beyond learning marksmanship and weapon deployment, officers are trained in tactics and fundamentals to enhance officer survivability during dynamic use of force encounters. Training issues covered include the possible use of cover, verbal commands and de-escalation of applied force.
Emphasis is placed on the use of proper judgement during use of force encounters.
The FATS system is housed on site and has been shared with countless officers from the tri-state area. During the spring of 1999, the firing range along with the FATS unit were closed down due to airfield expansion. The new range and FATS unit facilities are expected to open at a new location during the spring of 2001. In the meantime, officers have been maintaining their biannual firearms qualifications at a nearby privately owned range. In 1999, the State of Kentucky mandated minimum physical fitness standards for new hires throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.