Kentucky governor looks to increase police salaries, use of body cams

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) unveiled a budget proposal on Tuesday that would increase salaries of Kentucky State Police and equip authorities with body cameras. 

Under the proposal, the starting annual salary for state police troopers would rise from $40,000 to $55,000, with current state troopers and officers also receiving an increase in pay. 

State police telecommunicators, the people who take calls to the police, will see their starting pay increase from $24,000 annually to $32,000. People now working as police telecommunicators would also receive pay increases.

“It is not right that, when compared to our seven neighboring states, KSP ranks last in cadet pay, newly commissioned trooper pay and tenured pay,” Beshear said in his statement on Tuesday. 

“Kentuckians, as well as other local law enforcement agencies, rely on KSP to keep our commonwealth safe, and our troopers have more than earned pay that is comparable to their brothers and sisters in law enforcement across the state and nation,” he added. 

The new proposed budget will include $12.2 million for state police to purchase an integrated video recording system and additional body cameras. 

Gov. Beshear to announce @kystatepolice budget request. Watch live. https://t.co/4i0ubrQM9R

— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) November 9, 2021

The new funding will enable the state police to equip 650 troopers with new recording devices, according to the statement. 

“My administration’s top priority is to protect our Kentucky families and communities,” Beshear said. “And today I am announcing that my next recommended budget will make historic investments in law enforcement, so that the commonwealth can become a true leader in improving public safety.”