Gov. Beshear signs bills into law to raise KSP salaries, improve public safety - News 40 - wnky.com
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear signed two pieces of legislation into law Tuesday to make historic investments in law enforcement.
House Bill 259 ensures that all Kentucky State Police troopers will receive a $15,000 raise. Additionally, KSP’s starting pay for sworn officers will increase from $40,000 to $55,000 annually. These funds would allow the agency to recruit, train and retain the essential workforce needed to continue to provide the highest level of security to all Kentuckians, according to a release by Beshear’s office.
By signing Senate Bill 209, Beshear is establishing paid vacation, sick leave and holiday pay, as well as enhanced health insurance contribution payments for retired KSP troopers and CVE officers.
The Governor also announced that $12.2 million has been included in the state budget for KSP to purchase an integrated video recording system.
“My administration’s top priority is to protect our Kentucky families and communities, which is why we must boldly invest in our law enforcement,” said Beshear. “Thank you to every KSP trooper and officer who quickly responds to the emergencies and needs of the diverse communities that make up our commonwealth. Today, we show our appreciation by signing these bills into law.”
KSP is experiencing an unprecedented shortage of troopers, with its lowest numbers in more than 30 years. The agency is staffed with 856 full-time sworn troopers and officers, which is 150 short of the agency’s sworn strength in 2006. Currently, KSP ranks 74th in the state among law enforcement agencies for starting pay, and compared with state police agencies in seven neighboring states, KSP ranks last in pay overall.
“We cannot provide law and order if we do not have good, qualified law enforcement officers employed and on the streets,” said Beshear. “This historic salary increase for troopers and commercial vehicle officers will put KSP among the top five law enforcement agencies in the commonwealth.”
HB 259 also includes a unique contribution enhancement for members of the State Police Retirement System Tier III plan, which will have an immediate impact on veteran troopers, the 71 recent graduates of the KSP Training Academy and new recruits who are preparing to report for training in June. Lastly, it establishes enhanced promotion pay for trooper and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officer supervisor ranks.
This is the second time the governor has sought to fund troopers’ salary increases in the commonwealth’s budget, although this is the first time lawmakers included increases in their appropriations.
source: https://www.wnky.com/gov-beshear-signs-bills-into-law-to-raise-ksp-salaries-improve-public-safety/
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