Elizabethtown's rapid growth drives major police department expansion

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- There's a saying that 'all roads lead to E-Town' given that Interstate 65, the Bluegrass Parkway, the Lincoln Parkway, the Western Kentucky Parkway and Patriot Parkway all filter into the city.

As construction on the biggest economic development in Kentucky's history, the Blue Oval Sk Battery Park, takes place less than 10 miles away, more business and more people will be on those roads that lead to E-Town.

Elizabethtown's population is expected to double within the next five years, largely due in part to the battery park.

"We want to match the growth of our community and make sure that we can hit our goals because we don't want to see a reduction in police services," said Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson.

EPD currently has 77 sworn officers serving the community, and that manpower could pose a problem for a department located in one of the state's fastest growing cities.

Chief Jeremey Thompson was honest about his concerns with the city council, when he asked for money to create more positions on his staff and for $5.5 million dollars to expand the police station.

The city delivered because the city is growing.

Luckily, the department was given the go-ahead to hire 10 more officers and the millions to make more room at the police station.

"We’re going to push all of our stuff outside," Chief Thompson said. "And then we're going to repurpose the areas that are currently housing those items."

The building project is expected to start soon.

Now, the priority is hiring officers. EPD is aiming to expand sworn staff from 77 officers to 87, and the goal is to have 90 officers by the end of 2026.

"We won't turn down a traditional candidate by any means, but we are looking this particular go around to try and emphasize the laterals," Thompson said.

The city approved a lateral match for up to 10 years for officers coming from other departments. With incentives, a new officer could begin work at EPD with a salary as high as $67,000. A significant increase to what used to be a starting pay around $50,000.

“You look at that growth and then the growth of the building itself, hopefully, if our population estimates settle somewhere in the ballpark of what we've been given, that's going to put us right where we need to be,” Thompson said.

You can apply to the Elizabethtown Police Department by clicking here.