Ky. Sup. Ct. Order 2025-46 8

3.02 TRAINING AND EDUCATION

(A) All KCOJ officials and employees are required to complete active shooter

training provided by the AOC.

(B) Upon request of the security liaison, the AOC Division of Court Security

may provide additional or location-specific security training.

3.03 SECURITY EQUIPMENT STANDARDS

(A) The AOC Division of Court Security is authorized to establish security

equipment standards for court facilities and offices.

(B) The AOC Division of Court Security is responsible for providing, installing,

and maintaining security equipment in court facilities and offices in

accordance with applicable security equipment standards.

(C) All security equipment installed in a court facility or office is the property of

the AOC.

(1) Only the AOC Division of Court Security shall install, relocate, or

remove security equipment from a court facility or office.

(2) Public disclosure of security recordings is prohibited pursuant to AP

Part XVII, Open Records Policy of the AOC, Sec. 4(1)(f) and (g).

Dissemination or disclosure of security recordings without

authorization by the AOC Director or designee is prohibited.

3.04 ASSESSMENTS

(A) The AOC Division of Court Security shall periodically assess court facilities

and offices for compliance with security equipment standards and shall

perform security assessments of a court facility, office, or event venue upon

request of the Chief Circuit Judge or designated security liaison.

(B) Security assessments by the AOC Division of Court Security will include:

(1) An evaluation of existing security equipment for compliance with

security equipment standards;

(2) An inspection of the court facility, office, or event venue to identify

security risks around and within the building; and

(3) Recommendations, if applicable.

3.05 ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS

(A) Access control systems restrict access to a court facility or office and

secure areas within the court facility or office.

(B) Upon occupancy of a new court facility or office or upon installation of an

access control system, the AOC Division of Court Security shall coordinate

with the Chief Circuit Judge or designated security liaison to establish

access control levels for each court facility or office.

(C) The Chief Circuit Judge or designated security liaison is responsible for

ongoing management and local protocols of access control levels

assigned to access control cards for each court facility or office.

(1) Each identification badge provided by the AOC Department of Human

Resources also serves as an access control card for court facilities,

offices, and secure areas therein to which an employee has been

granted access by the Chief Circuit Judge or designated security

liaison.

(2) KCOJ employees are required to conspicuously wear identification

badges at work.

(3) No person may have unsupervised access to a secure area of a court

facility or office without an identification badge or access control card.

(4) The AOC Division of Court Security issues blank and numbered access

control cards to Chief Circuit Judges and designated security liaisons

upon request. Chief Circuit Judges and designated security liaisons

may only issue blank access control cards to the following categories of

persons:

(a) Court security personnel;

(b) County Judge/Executive, or highest-ranking official of the local

unit of government that owns a court facility; and

(c) Maintenance or janitorial employees or contractors.

(5) The Chief Circuit Judge or designated security liaison must deactivate

access when the assigned individual is no longer authorized to use the

access control card or the card has been lost.

(6) The Chief Circuit Judge or designated security liaison must maintain a

list of the identification number of each blank access control card

issued, the name and title of individual it is assigned to, the date

assigned, and the date of deactivation.

(7) The AOC Division of Court Security shall modify or deactivate an

access control card:

(a) At the direction of the Chief Justice or AOC Director’s office; or

(b) If it is determined by the manager of the AOC Division of Court

Security that action is necessary to secure the court facility or

office.

(D) Secure areas may be accessed by persons without an access control card if

a door monitoring and release system has been installed at the entry of the

secure area. Door release systems are installed in accordance with security

equipment standards or at the discretion of the AOC Division of Court

Security upon an assessment indicating need.

3.06 KEY REGISTRATION

(A) The Chief Circuit Judge or designated security liaison is responsible for

determining which individuals will be provided a physical key.

(B) The Chief Circuit Judge or designated security liaison must maintain a list

of the identification number of each physical key issued, the name and title

of individual it is assigned to, the date assigned, and the date returned or

lost.

(C) Concentrated efforts should be made to confirm the return of these keys

immediately upon the transfer, retirement, or termination of any person

assigned a physical key.

3.07 PANIC BUTTONS

(A) Panic buttons may be installed at any court facility or office upon

assessment of feasibility and availability of court security personnel and

local law enforcement to respond.

(B) If installed, it is the responsibility of the AOC Division of Security to:

(1) Establish the response entity assigned to monitor and respond to

activated panic buttons within a court facility or office; and

(2) Provide contact information for the response entity to the Chief Circuit

Judge or designated security liaison.

(C) The Chief Circuit Judge or designated security liaison must ensure that

panic button system is functionally operational by coordinating with the

response entity to test the system at least once a quarter. If the system is

not functioning properly, the Chief Circuit Judge or designated security

liaison must notify the AOC Division of Security by emailing

securitytechnicianrequest@kycourts.net.

3.08 SECURITY INCIDENT REPORTING

(A) A security incident includes the following:

(1) An action or threat of action that disrupts the administration of

judicial business;

(2) An action or threat of action, including uttered statements and written

communications, that is likely to cause injury or bodily harm to a

judicial official, employee, court security personnel, participant in the

judicial process, or any person lawfully within a court facility, office, or

event venue;

(3) An action or threat of action, including uttered statements and written

communications, that is intended to create terror, intimidate, menace,

frighten or threaten the personal safety of a judicial official, employee,

court security personnel, participant in the judicial process, or any

person lawfully within a court facility, office, or event venue;

(4) Unauthorized possession of a weapon, illegal item, or prohibited item

within a court facility, office, or event venue;

(5) Violations of law committed within a court facility, office, or event

venue; or

(6) Substantial violations of KCOJ security policies and procedures.

(B) Reporting Security Incidents

(1) KCOJ officials and employees must report all security incidents to the

Chief Circuit Judge or designated security liaison.

(a) If the security incident occurred in a court facility, the incident

must also be reported to court security personnel.

(b) The Chief Circuit Judge or designated security liaison must

complete, or work with court security personnel to complete, an

AOC-FAC-50 Court Security Incident Report and submit it via

email to CourtSecurity@kycourts.net.

(2) For security incidents that pose an immediate threat of bodily harm or

destruction of property, the Chief Circuit Judge or designated security

liaison must immediately report the incident to the sheriff’s office or

court security personnel, or other appropriate local law enforcement

agency, and to the Court Security Coordinator assigned to the county

or the manager of the AOC Division of Court Security.

(3) The AOC Division of Court Security shall review and respond to all

submitted security incident reports. If a recording of the incident from

a closed-circuit surveillance video system exists, the AOC Division of

Court Security shall preserve it.

(4) The AOC Division of Court Security shall store all submitted security

incident reports and related security recording on an internal database

and retain them in accordance with the AOC Record Retention Policy.

SECTION IV – REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO COURT FACILITIES

4.01 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHIEF CIRCUIT JUDGE

(A) The Chief Circuit Judge shall act as the security liaison for the court

facility or designate another KCOJ official or employee located in the court

facility as the security liaison in accordance with Section 3.01. Any such

designation must be reported to the AOC Division of Court Security.

(B) The Chief Circuit Judge shall work with the local sheriff to ensure court

security personnel assigned to the court facility have the requisite training,

skill, and ability to perform the responsibilities of the role in accordance

with Section 4.02.

(C) The Chief Circuit Judge may request an assessment to determine the need

for additional court security personnel as needed in accordance with

Section 4.02(B).

4.02 COURT SECURITY PERSONNEL

(A) The local sheriff’s office shall provide either deputy sheriffs or certified court

security officers to provide security services for court facilities. The number

of court security personnel needed for each court facility shall be stablished

by a Court Security Personnel Assessment conducted by the AOC Division

of Court Security and certified by the Chief Circuit Judge.

(1) Court security officers are required to be certified by the Kentucky Law

Enforcement Counsel within 12 months of being hired.

(2) All security personnel must be properly trained to:

(a) Use the security equipment provided by the AOC; and

(b) Anticipate and respond to security threats and situations that

pose a risk to KCOJ officials and employees, as well as members

of the public.

(3) If in the opinion of the Chief Circuit Judge, court security personnel

assigned to the court facility lack the training, skill, or ability to

perform the responsibilities of the role, the Chief Circuit Judge shall

contact the sheriff and request that alternate court security personnel

be assigned. The Chief Circuit Judge shall notify the AOC Division of

Court Security of the request.

(4) The Chief Circuit Judge must report to the AOC Division of Court

Security any failure or refusal of the sheriff to provide court security

personnel at the staffing levels approved by the Supreme Court.

(B) Court Security Personnel Assessments

(1) The AOC Division of Court Security shall periodically, or upon request

of a Chief Circuit Judge, conduct assessments of court security

personnel staffing levels at court facilities. Each such assessment shall

result in a written report indicating the hours of operation of the court

facility, the schedule of monthly court events, security equipment

located at the court facility, current staffing levels of court security

personnel assigned to the court facility, and recommended staffing

levels of court security personnel to be assigned to the court facility.

(a) The total number of recommended court security personnel to

staff each court facility shall be based on its hours of operation,

average monthly court event hours, and available security

equipment.

(b) Court security personnel assessments and staffing

recommendations must be certified and signed by the Chief

Circuit Judge.

(c) A court security personnel assessment recommending staffing

levels in excess of the authorizations outlined in Subsection

4.02(B)(2) must be approved in writing by the Chief Justice.

(2) Authorized staffing levels for court security personnel include the

following:

(a) One court security personnel position is authorized to act as a

CSO Lead for each court facility.

(b) The following court security personnel positions are authorized to

staff each item in a court facility screening area, if available,

during all operating hours of the court facility:

(i) Walk-through metal detector 2

(ii) Camera monitoring area 1

(iii) X-ray machine 2

(c) Three court security personnel are authorized per courtroom to

attend court when court is in session.

4.03 SECURITY EQUIPMENT

(A) Walk-Through Metal Detectors

(1) All judicial centers authorized after the effective date of this Order shall

have a walk-through metal detector installed at the front of entrance of

the facility.

(2) For all other court facilities:

(a) The AOC will purchase and install a metal detector machine for

the front entry of a court facility only if:

(i) The court facility has a single public entry point;

(ii) The court facility has sufficient space to install a walk-through metal detector and processing tables and to safely

process individuals entering the court facility; and

(iii) For court facilities occupied by the KCOJ and a local unit of

government, the local unit of government agrees to the

installation.

(b) If the court facility is not eligible for installation of a walk-through

metal detector at the front entry, the AOC will purchase and

install a walk-through metal detector between the front entry and

the courtroom(s) at an entry screening location to be determined

by the AOC Division of Court Security.

(3) Any walk-through metal detector purchased by the AOC must only be

used for court security purposes.

(B) X-ray Machines

(1) All judicial centers authorized after the effective date of this Order shall

have an x-ray machine installed at the front of entrance of the facility.

(2) For all other court facilities, the AOC will purchase and install an x-ray

machine if:

(a) The court facility has a single public entry point;

(b) The front entrance has sufficient space to accommodate the

machine and staff while maintaining an adequate means of safe

entrance and egress;

(c) A sufficient number of persons entering the court facility on a

daily basis to justify the need for an x-ray machine as determined

by the AOC Division of Court Security; and

(d) The AOC has funds available for the purchase.

(3) Inspections and Other Requirements

The AOC Division of Court Security is responsible for regularly

inspecting x-ray machines and maintaining them in accordance with

all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

(4) Decommissioning and Disposal

(a) The AOC shall arrange the decommission and disposal of an x-ay

machine in accordance with all federal and state laws and

regulations, including administrative regulations promulgated by

the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

(b) The AOC shall contract with a qualified service provider or vendor

to remove and dispose of the x-ray machine. The service provider

or vendor must agree to provide all documentation required by

federal or state law and regulations.

(C) Other Security Equipment Options

(1) Handheld Metal Detector: The AOC shall issue a minimum of two

handheld metal detectors to each court facility. In some locations, the

AOC Division of Court Security may issue more.

(2) Closed Circuit Video Surveillance Systems

(a) The AOC Division of Court Security performs security

assessments to determine the need for video surveillance systems

within court facilities.

(b) Closed circuit surveillance systems may be installed for the

following purposes:

(i) To allow court security personnel to monitor public and

secure areas of the building; or

(ii) To allow the Circuit Clerk or designee to monitor cash-

handling areas of an office.

(c) Presiding judges in courtrooms used for confidential family

proceedings, confidential juvenile court proceedings, or

mediations must be aware that proceedings may be visible to

court security personnel or the public on security monitor screens

and shall take precautions to maintain the confidentiality of the

proceeding.

4.04 ENTRY SCREENING PROTOCOLS

(A) Court security personnel must verbally and visually instruct all individuals

entering a court facility or courtroom regarding entry screening protocols.

(B) All court facility or courtroom entrants must pass through security

screening at the established entry screening location, unless otherwise

exempted under Section 2.01(B). Entrants who fail or refuse to submit to

security screening shall be denied entry.

(C) Security Screening

(1) Entrants shall surrender their personal belongings, including but not

limited to purses, bags, and briefcases, to court security personnel for

inspection.

(a) Court security personnel shall inspect personal belongings to

ensure no weapons or prohibited items are present. An x-ray

machine shall be used, if available.

(b) If no weapons or prohibited items are present, the personal

belongings shall be returned to the entrant.

(2) Entrants shall surrender any metal objects on their person to court

security personnel and shall pass through the walk-through metal

detector, if available, unless a disability or medical condition prevents

passage through the equipment.

(a) If no alarm sounds, the entrant may gather their belongings and

proceed.

(b) If the alarm sounds, court security personnel may require the

entrant to pass through a second time or shall use a handheld

device or physical pat down, if necessary, to determine the cause

of the alarm. Once court security personnel is satisfied the cause

of the alarm has been determined, the entrant may gather their

belongings and proceed.

(3) If an entrant declares a disability or medical condition that prevents

passage through a walk-through metal detector, or if a walk-through

metal detector is unavailable, alternative screening methods such as a

handheld device or physical pat down must be used to ensure the

entrant does not possess any weapons or prohibited items.

(a) An entrant with a declared implanted electronic medical device

shall not be required to pass through a walk-through metal

detector.

(b) Wheelchairs and other mobility devices must not be passed

through a walk-through metal detector.

(i) If an entrant is unable to separate from their wheelchair or

other mobility device to pass through the walk-through metal

detector, a handheld device or physical pat down must be

used.

(ii) An entrant using a mobility device shall not be forced to

stand for the purpose of conducting a search if he or she is

not able. If the entrant is able to stand, they should not be

required to remain standing for an extended period.

(iii) If feasible, entrants using a mobility device shall be provided

a place to sit while the alternative screening protocol is

performed.

(4) Entry with an Animal

(a) Service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities

Act are permitted to enter a court facility or courtroom. No other

animals shall be permitted entry.

(i) Service animals are not required to wear a vest or have the

certification present.

(ii) Court security personnel are permitted to ask the entrant

the following two questions:

1. Is this dog a service animal required because of a

disability?

2. What work or task has the dog been trained to

perform?

(iii) Entry shall be denied if the entrant refuses to respond,

responds in the negative to the first question, or fails to

identify a task in response to the second question.

(iv) Court security personnel must not request documentation

for the service animal, require that the service animal

demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the

entrant’s disability.

(b) Service animals must not be required to pass through a walk-through metal detector.

(c) Entrants with a service animal must not be separated from the

service animal for the purpose of passing through a walk-through

metal detector. A handheld metal detector or physical pat down

must be used.

(d) Service animals shall be visually inspected and scanned with a

handheld metal detector. Court security personnel shall not touch

a service animal without permission from the entrant.

(e) A service animal may be removed from the court facility if:

(i) It is out of control and the handler cannot take effective

action to control it; or

(ii) It is not housebroken.

(5) Physical pat downs, when required, should be conducted in the

presence of another court security personnel or in view of a security

camera.

(D) Any entrant who possesses a weapon or prohibited item must not be

permitted to enter the court facility or courtroom unless the entrant

decides to leave the premises and return for re-screening to ensure the

weapon or prohibited item is no longer in their possession.

(E) Any illegal items found during inspection shall be confiscated by court

security personnel and shall not be returned to the entrant or any other

person. Entrants carrying illegal items may be detained and/or cited for

criminal charges and arrested depending on the seriousness of the offense.

(F) Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection (B), the following persons

are exempt from passing through security screening:

(1) Entrants entering through an access-controlled door.

(2) Entrants wearing a KCOJ-issued identification badge.

4.05 SECURE PARKING

(A) Parking areas designated for use by KCOJ officials, employees, and the

public attending to judicial business within a court facility may include a

secure section with controlled access.

(B) The AOC Department of Court Facilities is responsible for determining the

allocation of secure and assigned parking spaces.

SECTION V – ADDITIONAL SECURITY SERVICES

5.01 AOC DIVISION OF COURT SECURITY

(A) Court security coordinators in the AOC Division of Court Security, must

obtain certification as a SLEO under KRS 61.900-61.930 within 6 months

of their hire date and must maintain the certification for the entirety of

their employment. Court Security Coordinators are authorized to act as a

SLEO in any location permanently or temporarily occupied by the KCOJ.

(B) The AOC Division of Court Security can provide additional security services

upon request. Additional services include but are not limited to:

(1) Additional security personnel to attend a trial or hearing upon request

of the presiding judge;

(2) Specialized security equipment upon request of the presiding judge;

(3) Dignitary protection for Supreme Court Justices and Court of Appeals

judges; and

(4) Security services for any event sponsored by the KCOJ.

SECTION VI – IMPLEMENTATION

KCOJ officials and personnel shall obtain necessary equipment and training

from the AOC Division of Court Security and, unless otherwise express

authorization is given by AOC Division of Court Security and the Chief Justice,

ensure compliance with these rules no later than March 1, 2026.

This Order shall be effective November 17, 2025, and until further

Order. ENTERED: November 17, 2025

All sitting. All concur.

______________________________________

CHIEF JUSTICE