Michael Bosse, ’82, formed lasting connections at EKU that he says contributed to his career as commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training. EKU’s School of Justice Studies is carrying that tradition forward by expanding partnerships and providing more opportunities in criminal justice education.

When Michael Bosse came to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) more than 40 years ago, he entered a police studies program that was helping shape the future of law enforcement in Kentucky.

Today, Bosse is commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT), overseeing training standards for law enforcement officers across the state. His career is one example of EKU’s impact on law enforcement in Kentucky during the program’s 60-year history.

EKU offered its first classes in law enforcement in 1966. The program grew into the College of Justice, Safety, & Military Science, with the School of Justice Studies encompassing police studies, criminal justice and corrections, and juvenile justice studies. Along the way, EKU developed partnerships with law enforcement agencies and played a role in advancing public safety education and training across the state.

“For six decades, EKU has been producing the highest caliber of law enforcement, safety and criminal justice professionals,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “Our graduates are leading law enforcement agencies and making an impact throughout Kentucky communities.”

That reputation attracted Bosse from Cincinnati to EKU, where the education and connections he gained helped launch his career.

“At that time nationally, law enforcement was still growing into a profession, and EKU was very engaged in that process,” Bosse said. 

In 1966, EKU received a grant from the Office of Law Enforcement Assistance, United States Department of Justice, to research training needs and establish a training program. From this grant, what is now the Kentucky DOCJT was born. Soon after, the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC) was established, and the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund (KLEFPF) was formed to provide training incentives for agencies. 

“These two initiatives, KLEC and KLEFPF, have made Kentucky law enforcement training the envy of many states in terms of police training, and it started with EKU,” said Bosse. 

After graduating with a degree in police administration from EKU in 1982, Bosse joined the Lexington Police Department, where he rose through the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major and assistant chief. He then served as chief of police for the City of Georgetown for 10 years. 

In 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear appointed Bosse deputy commissioner of the DOCJT, and shortly after, Bosse was promoted to commissioner. He also serves on the board of KLEC. 

The DOCJT is located on EKU’s campus, where it provides basic training and other programs for law enforcement officers from across Kentucky. 

For Bosse, his time at EKU extended well beyond his degree and career.

While a student, he became a resident assistant and later staff assistant at a residence hall, where he formed lifelong friends. He credits this network for helping him grow and for offering a source of strength and direction, both personally and professionally. 

“This group formed a team with a mission,” Bosse said. “We learned so much about leadership and team dynamics that every one of us graduated with a little more experience than your average college student.”

Bosse has stayed in contact with this group since graduating, and they recently reunited to share stories from their time at EKU. 

“It is only natural to look back on our lives and think of the periods of time where the memories themselves bring us happiness in knowing that it was time well spent,” he said. “I think each one in this group would say the same about the time we spent at EKU and our connection over the years.”

Those lasting connections reflect the broader approach EKU’s School of Justice Studies is taking as it expands partnerships with agencies across Kentucky. 

“If we’re going to improve criminal justice in Kentucky, we need to do it with the people that are heavily involved in criminal justice,” said Dr. David May, chair of the School of Justice Studies at EKU. “That gives us the opportunity to share our expertise with them, and for them to partner with us on research and internships for students.”

Criminal justice is consistently among EKU’s top-enrolled programs, and the School of Justice Studies has earned designation as a Program of Distinction from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.

As EKU marks 60 years of police studies in 2026, the School of Justice Studies continues to build on that foundation by preparing students for careers in law enforcement and criminal justice while strengthening connections with the agencies and professionals serving Kentucky.