COVINGTON, Ky. – Covington’s newest recruit is completing the agency’s Police Cadet Program and looks forward to a long career of service to the people of Covington.

Adam Lipps was sworn in by Mayor Joe Meyer this morning and received his badge from Assistant Police Chief Matthew Winship in a ceremony at City Hall.

Prior to administering the oath of office, Meyer told Lipps and his family members who were attending the ceremony that the Covington Police Department has the City’s full support.

“Here in Covington we are really proud of our police department,” said Meyer. “We don’t put them out there and wave ‘goodbye,’ we stand with them and we support them. We’ve got great policies, great training, we’ve got great leadership, and these are all things that make being a police officer in Covington very special.”

Lipps will complete the Police Cadet Program in three weeks. Winship said the program bridges the gap between high school age and police eligibility age, and gives recruits an advantage in learning what it takes to become a police officer.

“Adam has learned all the things that are difficult for officers to pick up, like an ear for the radio, the geography of the city, the routine reports that take time to learn as a police officer, he knows these things, and he knows how to deal with the public,” said Winship. “The program really gives our officers a jump start into learning things.”

The Cadet Program requires at least 18 months of in-service training within the Covington Police Department, where cadets learn federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, the basics of police work, and general knowledge of the job through training, observation, and independent study. Winship said the program has caught the attention of cities nationwide.

“I went to the FBI National Academy last year and I gave a 20-minute presentation about our Cadet Program,” said Winship. “I had people all over the United States wanting to know more about the program.”

In July, Lipps will begin a five-week online training program, followed by a 20-week in-person training period at the Kentucky State Police Academy.

“I’m looking forward to working with the people of Covington,” said Lipps.

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