The Owensboro Police Department is now accepting applications for Class 4 of its Basic Training Academy.
Applications are due by noon on September 26, and those interested can begin the process here. Those accepted to Class 4 are expected to begin the academy in March 2026.
Class 3 is set to begin August 4, marking the third one since OPD launched its own in-house academy in 2024. Public Information Officer Mark Hammonds said the local academy has helped improve both recruitment and retention by allowing new officers to complete their training in Owensboro rather than traveling across the state.
“Before, recruits had to spend 20 weeks living in Richmond at the Department of Criminal Justice Training on EKU’s campus,” Hammonds said. “Now, they get to go home each night to their families. That alone has made a huge difference, especially for those with kids or other responsibilities.”
The 23-week academy is held at OPD’s new facility, which houses the department’s gun range and training complex. The facility features classrooms, a weight room, a defensive tactics room, a running track, and a kitchen. Hammonds said it’s everything needed to train the next generation of officers.
One of the most impactful tools, Hammonds said, is the department’s “response to resistance simulator,” a real-time training system where recruits engage with video scenarios and must respond using verbal de-escalation or appropriate force. The system allows instructors to tailor the outcome based on the recruit’s actions and simulate high-pressure decisions officers may face in the field.
Hammonds added that the academy covers everything from patrol tactics and legal concepts to vehicle operations and firearms training. Recruits are expected to uphold the department’s core values of integrity, public service, competence, responsibility, accountability, and respect.
“Having our own academy means they’re trained from day one on the OPD way — our standards, our paperwork, our expectations,” Hammonds said. “That saves us time and makes the transition into field training much smoother.”
Following graduation, officers complete four months of training with Police Training Officers (PTOs) and remain on probation for 18 months. During that time, they rotate shifts and patrol areas while undergoing periodic evaluations.
Hammonds encouraged anyone considering the profession to start preparing now, especially for the physical fitness test.
“Some people wait until the last minute and show up unprepared,” he said. “We’re getting the word out early so applicants have a couple of months to get in shape and study for the written test, which is high-school level — basic reading comprehension and math.”
The number of applicants has been increasing in recent cycles. While Class 3 drew 24 applicants for initial testing — double the usual turnout — OPD is aiming even higher for Class 4.
“We’ve worked hard to boost awareness, especially through social media, and having our own academy has definitely helped get more interest,” Hammonds said.
Those interested in applying can visit owensboro.org and click “Join Our Team” to begin the process.
