Public commenter urges periodic constitutional and civil-rights training after records request

Thomas, identified in the meeting as a member of the public, told the council he submitted an open-records request under Kentucky statutes (KRS citations as spoken in the meeting) seeking training records for Mount Sterling personnel related to civil-rights training. He said city staff repeatedly asked for additional identifying information and that, when he followed up, he was told no records responsive to his request existed.

Thomas cited KRS provisions governing public records access and the oath that public officials take, and urged the council to consider periodic constitutional and civil-rights training for elected officials and city personnel — specifically naming police and the sheriff’s office — to reduce litigation risk, prevent avoidable constitutional violations, and improve public confidence. "Constitutional rights are constantly interpreted and clarified by the courts," he said, and continuing education would help protect citizens and support city employees in carrying out their duties.

Council members replied that some officials have attended training through the Kentucky City League and that training certificates or records may be held outside City Hall. One member noted that if training documentation exists elsewhere, it would be obtainable via public-records procedures. The exchange left unresolved where specific training records are stored; Thomas maintained his position that no responsive records were produced in response to his request during his interactions with city staff.