Kentucky State Police Harness Horsepower in Hopes of Winning Cruiser Contest
Gov. Beshear encourages Kentuckians to vote for its 2024 Ford Mustang GT as Best-Looking Cruiser
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 15, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) encourage Kentuckians to vote for its 2024 Ford Mustang GT as the nation’s best-looking cruiser as a thank you to the agency’s service. This year’s entry celebrates the Commonwealth’s nationally recognized horse industry.
KSP has entered the American Association of State Troopers (AAST) “2024 Best Looking Cruiser Contest” and is competing against state law enforcement agencies from across the country. The winning photo will be on the cover of the association’s 2024 wall calendar.
“Our state police are the best in the nation and one way we can show our support for them is by casting our vote in the best-looking cruiser contest,” Gov. Beshear said. “KSP won the contest in 2021 and 2022, and it’s time to take back the title. I will be casting my vote and encourage Kentuckians to join me.”
This year, KSP’s entry features a 2024 Ford Mustang GT in front of the Secretariat statue in the roundabout at Alexandria Drive and Old Frankfort Pike in Lexington. This photo is a testament to Kentucky’s beloved horse racing industry and honors the recent 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s triple-crown win and the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.
“Every year, we are humbled by the outpouring of support from Kentuckians during the national best-looking cruiser contest,” said KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. “While we enjoy the fun camaraderie between the state police agencies, we’re in it to win it!”
Commissioner Burnett recognizes that, just like Secretariat’s races, the AAST competition is tough. KSP has placed in the top five in each of the past six years, taking home back-to-back wins in 2021 and 2022. While Florida won the competition last year, Kentucky hopes to return the Gators to the swamp by earning this year’s top spot for the fourth time overall.
To accomplish this, Kentucky needs the help of the 4.5 million Kentuckians who call the Commonwealth home. Voting starts today and ends Monday, July 29, at 12 p.m. EDT. Kentuckians can cast votes once per device per day by clicking here.
KSP will post the most up-to-date standings on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Throughout his time in elected office, Gov. Beshear has made increasing public safety, deterring crime and fighting human trafficking and sex offenses a core mission. The Beshear-Coleman administration believes every single Kentuckian has the right to feel safe in their community, workplace and school, and the Governor has taken steps to increase public safety.
In the last two years, his administration has secured a historic more than $18,000 pay increase for KSP troopers and officers. Due to these increases and the tireless efforts from the KSP recruitment branch, more than 1,000 sworn personnel are now wearing the badge of honor, the highest number since 2017.
Gov. Beshear has also supported training for local law enforcement officers by raising the current training stipend to an all-time high, and the state supported the construction of a new training facility in Richmond.
Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded nearly $10 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in purchasing the tools and resources that will not only allow them to protect Kentucky communities but will also ensure their safety as they stand on the front lines every day.
Last year, Gov. Beshear signed House Bill 380 expanding the eligibility of potential peace officers to include individuals who are not yet 21 but will reach this statutory requirement by the time certification is completed to help law enforcement agencies expand their workforce.
Also, as the Governor recommended in January 2022, $12.2 million was included in the state budget for KSP to purchase body cameras, which is the first time in the commonwealth’s history that funding has been allocated for this much-needed expense.
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