Crime doesn’t stop at city or county lines — and effective public safety can’t either. In this episode of the Bluegrass Beat, host Critley King Smith explores the Bluegrass and Central Kentucky Unified Police Protection System (BACKUPPS), a statewide cooperative program designed to help law enforcement agencies work together across jurisdictions. First, BACKUPPS Chairman and Georgetown Police Chief Darin Allgood breaks down how the program works today, including governance, standard operating procedures, training, and what agencies need to know about joining. He also addresses common questions about communication, accountability and operating in another agency’s jurisdiction. Then, Commissioner Mike Bosse, who helped write the original framework for BACKUPPS in 2014, reflects on the program’s creation and history. He discusses why cooperation is essential to modern policing, the importance of setting aside egos and “kingdoms,” and how unified leadership ultimately strengthens public safety for both officers and the communities they serve. Together, these conversations highlight why collaboration, shared training and a common mission are critical tools in keeping Kentucky safe. About our Guests Darin Allgood, BACKUPPS Chairman & Georgetown Police Chief Chief Allgood was appointed Chief of Police on January 13, 2023, and has served the department since 2012. He held various ranks during his tenure, including assistant chief of police, police captain, Criminal Investigations Section (CIS) lieutenant, CIS sergeant, administrative sergeant, CIS detective, and police officer. Chief Allgood has also worked for the Department of Criminal Justice Training in Richmond, Kentucky, and for the Huntersville, North Carolina Police Department, where he began his law enforcement career in 1995. Chief Allgood earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Western Carolina University and a master’s in safety, security and emergency management from Eastern Kentucky University. Chief Allgood is a graduate of the Academy of Police Supervision and the FBI National Academy, Class 284. Chief Allgood is a certified instructor through the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council and has taught classes for the Department of Criminal Justice Training and Georgetown College. He has also served as a facilitator/adjunct professor at EKU, teaching classes in the Safety, Security, and Emergency Management program. Mike Bosse, DOCJT Commissioner Mike Bosse was appointed commissioner of the Department of Criminal Justice Training by Gov. Andy Beshear on Nov. 1, 2024. He joined DOCJT in March 2024 as deputy commissioner and served in Kentucky law enforcement for over 41 years. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with High Distinction, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Administration. Bosse served as Georgetown Police chief for 10 years. Prior to this appointment, he spent 30 years with the Lexington Division of Police, where he moved through the ranks of patrolman, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major and retired at the rank of assistant chief of police. Bosse spent a total of 12 years working in the Bureau of Investigations with the Lexington Division of Police, working most of that time in Special Investigations. In addition to his undercover and supervisory experience in narcotics investigations, he spent 20 years working with Kentucky’s drug courts, five years working a drug detection K-9, five years as a board member of the Fayette County ASAP Board, three years as chairman of the Mayor’s Alliance on Substance Abuse. He has served as a member of Scott County Against Drugs board, has been a member of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals Law Enforcement Committee and was appointed to the NADCP Board of Directors, which conducts research and provides training to our nation’s drug courts. Bosse is a certified instructor for the Department of Criminal Justice Training and is recognized by both Federal and State courts as an expert in police administration, including the use of force by police. Bosse has reviewed thousands of uses of force by police and has prepared reports in state and federal courts on over 50 occasions. Bosse was appointed to the Board of Licensure for Private Investigators by Governor Steve Beshear in 2014. Bosse graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2000 and has conducted numerous leadership trainings around the country. He served as a member of Kentucky Law Enforcement Council for 7 years where he chaired the Professional Standards Committee for 4 years. … The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky. Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast. Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at critley.kingsmith@ky.gov to share feedback. Music by Digital Juice and StackTraxx.
