16.040 Organization of department -- Qualifications of officers -- Investigation of applicants

16.040 Organization of department -- Qualifications of officers -- Investigation of

applicants.

(1) The department shall consist of the commissioner and the number of officers,

individuals employed as a Trooper R Class, CVE R Class, and civilians, and shall

be organized in the manner as the commissioner from time to time determines.

(2) All persons appointed as officers shall at the time of their appointment:

(a) Be not less than twenty-one (21) years of age;

(b) Be of good moral character, and in good health;

(c) Be citizens of the United States and residents of the Commonwealth; and

(d) Possess;

1. A minimum of sixty (60) hours of credit, or an associate degree, from an

accredited college or university;

2. A high school diploma with at least two (2) years' experience in the

military or in law enforcement; or

3. A high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED)

diploma with additional experience established by the commissioner by

administrative regulation promulgated pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A.

However, any person appointed under this subparagraph who has not

completed the requirements of subparagraph 1. of this paragraph prior to

the end of probation as described in KRS 16.140(11) shall be

discharged.

(3) The commissioner shall prescribe minimum physical requirements for appointment

as an officer of the department and for individuals employed as a Trooper R Class

or CVE R Class, and shall conduct such tests and require such physical

examinations as deemed necessary to determine the fitness and qualification of each

applicant. All other qualifications being equal, preference shall be given to veterans

of the Armed Forces of the United States in time of war, who were honorably

discharged.

(4) The commissioner shall direct an investigation to be conducted in order to

determine an applicant's suitability for employment as an officer. The contents of

the investigation shall be subject to the Open Records Act, KRS 61.870 to 61.884

and KRS 61.991, except that the identity of any witness or informant involving

information relative to this investigation shall remain confidential. The identity of

any witness or informant shall be subject to the subpoena power of a court of

competent jurisdiction.