The Kentucky State Police force is about 100 troopers short of its authorized staffing level, due in part to retirements and challenges in finding recruits.
The agency currently has 910 troopers, including 69 new trainees that graduated last week.
Trooper Paul Blanton at state police headquarters in Frankfort told Owensboro newspaper that a recent cadet class had 63 graduates, but there were 62 trooper retirements during the cadet training period.
Blanton says there are challenges in recruiting eligible applicants, and readying a new cadet class takes a long time.
He says some applicants, like those who have visible tattoos, get disqualified at the start.
Still others who become troopers later leave the KSP for other law enforcement agencies.
