Just ahead of National Police Week, the personal finance website WalletHub takes a deep dive to identify the best and worst states for law enforcement to work. Kentucky offers a low median income for officers, the worst for police protection in the country, and ranks poorly for police officer deaths.

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We are so fortunate to have so many men and women in uniform that care so deeply for our community. During National Police Week a spotlight is shown on their service, but it should shine down every day. The fact that law enforcement officers kiss their families each morning and don't know if they'll see them again, is the ultimate sacrifice.

WHAT IS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK?

I'm sure many officers in this community get offered positions in other cities, maybe even with better pay. But, yet they stay here. They embed themselves in our community and care about all of us. And, it's not just about their service. They volunteer, raise money, and help organizations in their off time. This is a week filled with events to celebrate those efforts according to www.nationalpoliceweek.org.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in several planned events that honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

National Police Week offers honor, remembrance, and peer support while allowing law enforcement, survivors, and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

We must also remember law enforcement officers that are harmed or killed in the line of duty. Along with the loved ones that are left behind. #heroes

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KENTUCKY IS 4TH WORST STATE FOR OFFICERS

With all this being said, it's heartbreaking to know that Kentucky ranks 4th as the least-friendly state for police officers. The new study from Wallethub.com takes a deep dive to identify the best and worst states for law enforcement to work.

To determine the best states to pursue a career in law enforcement, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 30 key indicators of police-friendliness. The data set ranges from the median income for law-enforcement officers to police deaths per 1,000 officers to state and local police protection expenses per capita.

2023 Life & Work for Cops in Kentucky (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
• 49th – Law-Enforcement Officers per Capita
• 41st – Median Income for Law-Enforcement Officers (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
• 47th – Median Income Growth for Law-Enforcement Officers
• 36th – % of Homicide Cases Solved
• 51st – State & Local Police-Protection Expenses per Capita
• 48th – Police Deaths per 1,000 Officers
Note: “Law-enforcement officers” include police and sheriff’s patrol officers, detectives, and criminal investigators.

Source: WalletHub

PREVIOUS STUDY RESULTS

2022 Life & Work for Cops in Kentucky (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
• 48th – Law-Enforcement Officers per Capita
• 36th – Median Income for Law-Enforcement Officers (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
• 32nd – % of Homicide Cases Solved
• 51st – State & Local Police-Protection Expenses per Capita
• 35th – Police Deaths per 1,000 Officers

2021 Life & Work for Cops in Kentucky (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
• 50th – Law-Enforcement Officers per Capita
• 41st – Median Income for Law-Enforcement Officers (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
• 51st – Median Income Growth for Law-Enforcement Officers
• 32nd – % of Homicide Cases Solved
• 51st – State & Local Police-Protection Expenses per Capita
• 43rd – Police Deaths per 1,000 Officers

I want to take a moment to thank our law enforcement for putting themselves on the line so I can live in a safe community. #blessed

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