The Kentucky State Police is organized pursuant to KRS 16.040 and KRS 16.060. These statutes give the Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police the responsibility for the management of the Kentucky State Police, serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the agency and performs the functions and duties prescribed by law, administrative regulations, executive orders, and directives from the Governor.  All components and personnel of the Kentucky State Police are ultimately accountable to the Commissioner. 

Lt. Governor Stephen B. Pence was appointed to the position of Acting Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police in December, 2003.

Contacting the Commissioner's Office
Biographical Sketch of Acting Commissioner Stephen B. Pence

How to Contact the Office of Commissioner

You can reach the Office of the Commissioner in a number of ways, including:

By Phone:

(502) 695-6300

By Mail/In Person at:

Kentucky State Police Headquarters
919 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601

By email:

Email the Commissioner's Office

Biographical Sketch of Acting Commissioner Lt. Governor Stephen B. Pence

Stephen B. Pence was born in Louisville, Kentucky on December 22, 1953. Steve received a Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky in 1981, and graduated with Bachelor of Science (1976) and MBA degrees (1978) from Eastern Kentucky University.

Steve began his career as a public school teacher in Jefferson County teaching 6th and 8th grade math. After law school, Steve worked as an assistant attorney general of Kentucky from 1981-1982. In the early 1990s, he was a lead attorney in BOPTROT, the investigation to uncover and eliminate corruption in state government. He was formerly a partner with the Pedley, Zielke, Gordinier and Pence law firm (1995-2001).

Steve was appointed by President George W. Bush as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky and was confirmed to this position on September 24, 2001. As U.S. Attorney, he supervised over 30 attorneys and 40 support staff. Following the events of September 11th, Steve established and led the Anti-Terrorism Task Force (ATTF) in Kentucky. Additionally, he expanded and led the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, fought illegal drugs and trafficking and investigated Medicare and Medicaid fraud issues.

Steve has also served his country in the United States Army. From 1982-1987 he served active duty in the JAG Corps and was stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany. He continues to serve as Lieutenant Colonel (Military Judge) in the United States Army Reserve JAG Corps.

In 1995, Steve received the Kentucky Bar Association’s “Outstanding Lawyer” award. He lives in Louisville and is married to Ruth Ann Cox. He has five children, Eileen, Kay, Peter, Joseph and Paige.