From Kentucky.com
July 14, 2008
Beshear reorganizes state police and vehicle enforcement
FRANKFORT -- Gov. Steve Beshear has scheduled a 4 p.m. news conference Monday to announce reorganization of the Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement.
Joining him will be Justice and Public Safety Secretary J. Michael Brown and KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer.
Vehicle enforcement has been a self-autonomous agency in the cabinet. There has been speculation that it may be merged with the state police, especially since the departure last month of Commissioner Greg Howard and other high-ranking officials.
The agency monitors and enforces commercial vehicle regulations and highway safety laws. It has 179 officers.
Earlier this year, it became the only agency of its kind in the country to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies – the highest level of public safety accreditation.
Updated at 6:21 P.M.
Beshear said at a Capitol news conference that he has signed an executive order to abolish the Department of Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement in the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and make it a division in the state police.
Beshear said the reorganization will allow the new division to expand hours of operation at weigh stations to increase the inspection and records checks of hazardous cargo and save $750,000 to $1 million a year through efficiencies such as reducing fuel costs and centralizing facilities.
He said the 240 or so rank-and-file employees in vehicle enforcement will keep their jobs, but Justice Secretary Brown said the two remaining managerial or non-merit positions may be lost or changed. Howard left last month as vehicle enforcement commissioner.
The merger is to take effect Aug. 16.
State Police Commissioner Brewer said the vehicle enforcement officers and personnel “will continue to serve the Commonwealth as they always have.
“The agency will maintain its identity. Rank-and-file officers will maintain their positions. Uniforms and cars won’t change.
“What will change is the clarity of a renewed emphasis on their primary function and responsibility.”
The vehicle enforcement officers will do both patrolling and working at weigh stations, Brewer said. He did not know if the stations will be able to be open around the clock.
Beshear said the expansion of hours at weigh stations will generate more fees for the state.
Brewer said the difference in training for state police officers and vehicle enforcement officers is minimal, about 23 weeks for state police and 19 to 20 for vehicle enforcement.
State Police Lt. Col. Leslie Gannon has been named to head temporarily the new division in the state police, Brewer said.
--Jack Brammer
July 14, 2008
Beshear reorganizes state police and vehicle enforcement
FRANKFORT -- Gov. Steve Beshear has scheduled a 4 p.m. news conference Monday to announce reorganization of the Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement.
Joining him will be Justice and Public Safety Secretary J. Michael Brown and KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer.
Vehicle enforcement has been a self-autonomous agency in the cabinet. There has been speculation that it may be merged with the state police, especially since the departure last month of Commissioner Greg Howard and other high-ranking officials.
The agency monitors and enforces commercial vehicle regulations and highway safety laws. It has 179 officers.
Earlier this year, it became the only agency of its kind in the country to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies – the highest level of public safety accreditation.
Updated at 6:21 P.M.
Beshear said at a Capitol news conference that he has signed an executive order to abolish the Department of Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement in the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and make it a division in the state police.
Beshear said the reorganization will allow the new division to expand hours of operation at weigh stations to increase the inspection and records checks of hazardous cargo and save $750,000 to $1 million a year through efficiencies such as reducing fuel costs and centralizing facilities.
He said the 240 or so rank-and-file employees in vehicle enforcement will keep their jobs, but Justice Secretary Brown said the two remaining managerial or non-merit positions may be lost or changed. Howard left last month as vehicle enforcement commissioner.
The merger is to take effect Aug. 16.
State Police Commissioner Brewer said the vehicle enforcement officers and personnel “will continue to serve the Commonwealth as they always have.
“The agency will maintain its identity. Rank-and-file officers will maintain their positions. Uniforms and cars won’t change.
“What will change is the clarity of a renewed emphasis on their primary function and responsibility.”
The vehicle enforcement officers will do both patrolling and working at weigh stations, Brewer said. He did not know if the stations will be able to be open around the clock.
Beshear said the expansion of hours at weigh stations will generate more fees for the state.
Brewer said the difference in training for state police officers and vehicle enforcement officers is minimal, about 23 weeks for state police and 19 to 20 for vehicle enforcement.
State Police Lt. Col. Leslie Gannon has been named to head temporarily the new division in the state police, Brewer said.
--Jack Brammer