After struggling with low recruitment in recent years, the Kentucky State Police are opening doors for a larger pool of potential recruits.

Hopeful troopers, who were once required to have 60 hours of college credit and two years of active duty experience as soldiers or police officers, now need just a high school diploma or GED and three years of work experience. Additional education and previous police or military service are now considered bonuses, according to KSP’s website.

Six-year KSP veteran Trooper David Loudermilk said he wants to be clear: This doesn’t represent a lowering of standards. New recruits will still undergo the same rigorous 24-week training regime, take the same tests and be subject to the same background check as they always have been. The difference now is that a wider variety of people can join the force.

“All we’re doing is widening the opportunity for people who maybe didn’t have the chance to go to college,” he said. “We’re really opening a door for them to be able to fulfill their dream of coming on.”

Public affairs officer Trooper David Jones said KSP isn’t dealing with a shortage like it was in 2015, but it’s always important to be actively recruiting in order to keep up with older troopers’ rates of retirement.

“We want as many applicants as we can (get),” he said. “We want to hire the best. … Anybody could get through the training if they want to, but you’ve got to have the want and the desire to get through it.”

Anyone interested in becoming a Kentucky State Trooper can visit KSP’s web site to learn more and download an application. Applications for the 2018 academy class are due June 23.