Hailey
Kasey Starnes has officially graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC), marking a major milestone in a career dedicated to public service.
Starnes attended the academy as a recruit of the Great Bend Police Department and successfully completed the 350th Basic Training Class, earning eligibility to serve as a certified law enforcement officer in Kansas.
The graduation ceremony took place on December 12, 2025, inside Integrity Auditorium at the KLETC campus near Hutchinson.
Family members, instructors, academy leadership, and fellow recruits gathered to recognize the hard work and discipline required to complete one of the state’s most demanding professional training programs.
Details of the 350th Basic Training Class
The 350th class consisted of 20 recruits representing law enforcement agencies from across Kansas. Over the course of 14 weeks, these recruits underwent intensive instruction designed to prepare them for the legal, physical, and ethical responsibilities of modern policing.
KLETC serves as the primary statewide training facility for law enforcement officers and operates in partnership with the University of Kansas, a relationship that has existed since 1968.
This connection ensures that Kansas officers receive standardized, academically grounded, and professionally relevant training before entering active duty.
What the KLETC training program includes
The basic law enforcement training program completed by Kasey Starnes is structured to simulate real-world policing conditions. The 14-week schedule combines classroom instruction with hands-on practical exercises, ensuring recruits are prepared both mentally and physically.
Training focuses on:
- Kansas criminal and traffic law
- Defensive tactics and officer safety
- Firearms qualification
- Emergency response procedures
- Ethics, professionalism, and decision-making
- Physical fitness and endurance standards
Upon graduation, recruits receive confirmation of successful program completion and qualify for initial Kansas law enforcement certification, allowing them to begin work with their home agencies.
Graduation ceremony and leadership recognition
The graduation ceremony included remarks from academy leadership and guest speakers who emphasized integrity, accountability, and service to the community.
Instructors recognized the commitment shown by recruits throughout the demanding academy schedule, highlighting the transition from trainee to trusted public servant.
A class president spoke on behalf of the graduates, reflecting on teamwork, resilience, and the shared responsibility that comes with wearing a law enforcement badge.
The event formally closed the academy phase of training and marked the beginning of professional service across Kansas communities.
Key information at a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Graduate | Kasey Starnes |
| Home agency | Great Bend Police Department |
| Training center | Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) |
| Class number | 350th Basic Training Class |
| Graduation date | December 12, 2025 |
| Location | Integrity Auditorium, KLETC |
| Total graduates | 20 recruits |
| Training duration | 14 weeks |
| University affiliation | University of Kansas (since 1968) |
Why this graduation matters for Great Bend
For the Great Bend community, Kasey Starnes’ graduation from KLETC represents the addition of a newly trained officer who has completed Kansas’ standardized academy process. After returning to the department, Starnes will move into the next phase of professional development, typically involving supervised field training.
This step ensures that new officers apply academy learning in real-world situations while maintaining public safety standards and building trust within the community.
Kasey Starnes’ graduation from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center is a significant professional achievement and a proud moment for the Great Bend Police Department.
As part of the 350th Basic Training Class, Starnes completed 14 weeks of rigorous training alongside 19 other recruits, earning the credentials required to serve as a Kansas law enforcement officer.
With academy training complete, Starnes now begins the next chapter—protecting and serving the Great Bend community with professionalism, discipline, and dedication.