Kentucky State Police Post 15 Columbia Welcomes New Post Commander
COLUMBIA, Ky. (August 5, 2025) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 in Columbia would like to welcome Captain Jennifer Sandlin, a 22-year KSP veteran, as the new Post Commander.
Captain Sandlin began her career in May 2003 and graduated from the Kentucky State Police Academy in October 2003. After graduation, she served at Post 9 in Pikeville as a Trooper until February 2006, when she transferred to Post 13 in Hazard. In August 2010, Sandlin was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to Post 9 in Pikeville, where she served as an Operations Sergeant and, later, an Investigations Sergeant. In November 2013, she was promoted to Lieutenant and remained at Post 9 in Pikeville. There, she served as the Investigative Lieutenant and was responsible for post-level Detectives. In September 2015, Sandlin transitioned to the Operations Lieutenant position at Post 9 in Pikeville, where she was in charge of uniformed Troopers. In September 2016, Sandlin was promoted to Captain and was appointed the Post Commander at Post 9 in Pikeville. In August 2017, Captain Sandlin was transferred to Post 13 in Hazard and became the Post Commander. On August 1, 2025, Captain Sandlin was transferred to Post 15 in Columbia as the Post Commander.
“It’s an honor to be the Commander at Post 15.” Captain Sandlin said. “I look forward to meeting and serving the citizens of the Post 15 community. This area is new to me; however, it already feels like home after spending just a few days here.”
Captain Sandlin has received several KSP awards, including the Citation of Bravery in 2011 and the Service Achievement Award in 2023. She has also received several awards from the Kentucky Women’s Law Enforcement Network, including the Award for Exceptional Valor in 2009, the Award for Leadership in 2012 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
Captain Sandlin earned a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science from Eastern Kentucky University in 2002. She is a native of Perry County, Kentucky and highly involved in her hometown community. In 2023, the Hazard-Perry County Women’s Club awarded Sandlin the Hazard-Perry County Businesswoman of the Year award.
Captain Sandlin was instrumental in piloting the KSP Angel Initiative in 2017, which continues to be utilized by all 16 KSP posts as a proactive approach by helping individuals battling drug addiction seek treatment. She was also the Post Commander at Post 13 in Hazard in 2022, when several counties in the post area were devastated by flooding. Captain Sandlin brings many years of experience and leadership to Post 15.
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