CCPS secures grant money to purchase 8 new vehicles for internal police force

Eight new vehicles will be purchased locally for Christian County Public School's internal police department.

Christian County NowCCPS Police vehicle. July 2025 (Daynnah Carmona)

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Grant funding has been secured to help purchase eight additional vehicles for Christian County Public Schools Police to round out the fleet ahead of the upcoming school year.

Director of School Safety Clayton Sumner addressed board members during the April 16 meeting, saying that he has helped secured a direct appropriation grant of around $500,000 after meeting with legislators in Frankfort, “This will cover not only the vehicles, but the complete outfitting (uniforms) of the next round of hires.”

A total of seven bids were received and Sumner recommended that the board accepts the lowest price from Pennyrile Ford in Hopkinsville. To purchase these eight, properly equipped vehicles, it will cost $351,008 and will not impact the general fund.

“Christian County Schools appreciates our state legislators for their partnership and for prioritizing the safety of our schools through a fully staffed police force in our district,” said a statement from CCPS.

Police staffing and cost differences

Clayton added that this purchase will complete their fleet of vehicles, with cars designated to all 16 officers that will fill the department. This school year, CCPS officers were only posted at elementary schools and the early learning center with local law enforcement agencies still supplying SROs for the middle and high schools. During the 2026-27 school year, the fully staffed department will get started at the new Christian County High School as well.

By creating an internal police force, the district is able to independently hire school resource officers instead of contracting them at a higher price from Hopkinsville Police Department and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office. This change provides them with more flexibility with staffing at a lower cost to the district.

Previously, contracting local SROs cost around $100,000 each, totally around $1 million a year. Through internal hiring they are saving around $20,000 per officer and have the ability to apply for new grant funding to offer additional financial support.