For Context | CIRT investigating Russell Co. deputy’s death

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Kentucky State Police detectives with the CIRT (Critical Incident Response Team) are in Russell County investigating the death of Deputy Josh Phipps.

For context, CIRT responds to calls from local law enforcement for service. They will take over an investigation, handle all evidence, and make sure the case is impartial and unbiased.

CIRT teams also investigate serious, deadly wrecks and crime scenes.

When it comes to officer-involved shootings, state police say CIRT has been the primary investigator in eight critical incidents this year. That’s down from 21 last year.

The most they’ve handled in one year’s time was back in 2021, when there were 29 officer-involved shootings that they investigated.

These numbers don’t always reflect the total across the state. State police say Louisville’s police force started handling their own officer-involved shooting investigations in 2023.

So you won’t see their numbers included in CIRT’s count for this year or last.

The detectives who make up CIRT come from all regional posts. They apply for the positions. And KSP says they must have at least three years as a trooper before they can apply.