# KRS § 16.040: 16.040 Organization of department -- Qualifications of officers -- Investigation of applicants > Kentucky · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.040 ## Section - **Citation:** KRS § 16.040 - **Heading:** 16.040 Organization of department -- Qualifications of officers -- Investigation of applicants - **Jurisdiction:** Kentucky - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** KY Code / Title III / Chapter 16 / Section 16.040 ## Text 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. ## Nearby sections - [KRS § 16.010 16.010 Definitions for KRS 16.010 to 16.199](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.010.md) - [KRS § 16.030 16.030 Qualifications of commissioner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.030.md) - [KRS § 16.040 16.040 Organization of department -- Qualifications of officers -- Investigation of applicants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.040.md) - [KRS § 16.045 16.045 Appointment of deputy commissioner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.045.md) - [KRS § 16.050 16.050 Appointment and compensation of personnel -- Department of Kentucky State Police Personnel Board -- Organization, duties, and compensation -- Repayment of training costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.050.md) - [KRS § 16.052 16.052 Salary schedules for Kentucky State Police officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.052.md) - [KRS § 16.055 16.055 Promotions -- Terms and conditions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.055.md) - [KRS § 16.060 16.060 Powers and duties of commissioner and officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.060.md) - [KRS § 16.062 16.062 Prohibition against requesting or requiring victim of alleged sexual offense to submit to polygraph or other examination -- Other prohibitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.062.md) - [KRS § 16.065 16.065 Additional duties of department](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.065.md) - [KRS § 16.066 16.066 Design and availability of forms relating to purchases of metals and objects containing metal -- Charges for copies -- Copyright -- Use of other facsimiles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.066.md) - [KRS § 16.068 16.068 Fees for fingerprint impressions or photograph requested for professional, trade, or commercial purposes or personal use](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.068.md) - [KRS § 16.070 16.070 Uniforms, equipment, and facilities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.070.md) - [KRS § 16.075 16.075 Automobile liability insurance for State Police](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.075.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TIII_C16_S16.040. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.