Lexington Police Department Swore In 12 New Officers
The latest class of recruits completed 28 weeks of training before being sworn in at Immanuel Baptist Church.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Lexington Police Department welcomed 12 new officers to its force following a graduation ceremony held at Immanuel Baptist Church. Mayor Linda Gorton administered the oath of office to the new recruits.
Why it matters
The graduation marks a significant staffing update for the department as it seeks to maintain its force numbers amidst ongoing training and recruitment efforts.
A total of 12 new officers successfully completed the 28-week training program, which began with an initial class of 25 participants. The department now maintains a total roster of 641 sworn officers.
The players
Linda Gorton
She is the Mayor of Lexington who presided over the graduation ceremony and administered the oath of office to the new recruits.
Lawrence Weathers
He is the Chief of the Lexington Police Department and led the badge-pinning portion of the graduation event.
Rob Fraser
He is a Sergeant with the Lexington Police Department who has two years remaining until his retirement eligibility.
The details
Chief Lawrence Weathers participated in the ceremony by pinning badges onto the uniforms of the graduates. One of the newly sworn officers joined the same department where his father previously served.
Timeline
October 9, 2026: The 12 new police officers were officially sworn into the department.
Legal Context
The graduation ceremony follows the established standards of the Lexington Police Department internal training requirements. This event marks the latest completion of a cycle that mandates 28 weeks of rigorous instruction before recruits can join the force.
The addition of these officers increases the total force to 641, which aims to improve police presence and service across the city. Residents can expect these new graduates to begin their patrol duties immediately following their swearing-in.
The takeaway
Recruitment remains a critical component of maintaining city safety, as evidenced by the 25 individuals who initially enrolled in this training cycle. Families of recruits continue to see multi-generational service as a tradition within the Lexington police force.
Further reading
For more on the department, see the latest updates in Law Enforcement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LEX 18 News - Lexington, KY (WLEX).
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