Kentucky Police Badge Requirements & Regulations Guide
Complete guide to KLEC certification standards for the Bluegrass State—with 120 counties, the third-most in America
Kentucky law enforcement badges are governed by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC). All sworn officers must be KLEC-certified. Kentucky has 120 counties—the THIRD most in the nation after Texas and Georgia—creating 120 separate sheriff offices. Louisville Metro Police (merged city-county) is the largest department. Kentucky sheriffs use star badges; police use shields.
Kentucky has 120 counties—the third-highest count in America (only Texas with 254 and Georgia with 159 have more). Many Kentucky counties have small populations, creating numerous small sheriff departments. Louisville and Jefferson County merged in 2003 to form Louisville Metro, creating one of the largest consolidated police departments in the nation.
- Approximately 8,500 sworn law enforcement officers statewide
- 120 county sheriff offices (3rd most in U.S.)
- Over 350 municipal police departments
- Kentucky State Police: ~900 troopers
- 26th most populous state with 4.5 million residents
- KLEC minimum training: 640 hours for certification
Kentucky Law Enforcement Overview
Kentucky’s 120 counties create a highly decentralized law enforcement structure. The Kentucky State Police (KSP) is one of the nation’s most respected state agencies, providing primary law enforcement in many rural areas where county sheriffs have limited resources.
Louisville Metro Police, created by the 2003 merger of Louisville PD and Jefferson County Police, is the largest department. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Police is the second largest, serving Kentucky’s second-largest city.
Kentucky Badge Traditions & Styles
| Agency | Type | Officers | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville Metro Police | Metro | ~1,200 | Shield |
| Kentucky State Police | State | ~900 | State Badge |
| Lexington-Fayette Police | Urban County | ~600 | Shield |
| Jefferson County Sheriff | County | ~400 | Star |
Climate Considerations
Kentucky’s humid subtropical climate means hot, humid summers that can accelerate tarnishing on lower-quality finishes. Specify hard enamel with quality plating (20+ mils) for durability. Eastern Kentucky’s mountainous terrain exposes officers to more extreme weather conditions.
- Kentucky has 120 county sheriffs—3rd most in the U.S.
- KLEC certification (640 hours) required for all officers
- Louisville Metro Police is the largest department
- Star badges for sheriffs; shields for police
The Bottom Line
Kentucky’s 120 counties create the third-largest number of sheriff offices in America. For custom badge orders, see our badge procurement guide.