05/15/2026
2026 National Police Week
In honor of National Police Week, we invite you to get to know the individuals behind the badge and discover the personalities that make the Licking Police Department such a valued part of our community.
While our officers are dedicated professionals committed to serving and protecting, each is also an individual with unique interests, experiences, and perspectives that shape who they are both in and out of uniform.
Corporal Kenny Santee’s path into law enforcement began after serving on active duty in the Army as a Cavalry Scout, but the foundation for that path was built much earlier through life experience, strong mentors and the values instilled in him from a young age. His father had a major influence on his sense of right and wrong, and instilled in him a respect for law and order versus anarchy and chaos. As might be expected, Cpl. Santee’s childhood heroes were those who stood for truth, justice and doing what was right.
Outside of law enforcement, Cpl. Santee enjoys several hobbies as time permits. He began playing acoustic guitar in high school, while he admittedly has not devoted much time to it in recent years. He also enjoys camping, hiking and photography – pastimes that pair well with his favorite season, spring, when the warmer weather brings the landscape to life in his favorite vivid primary colors. Christian and country music top the list in his music preferences.
One place Cpl. Santee hopes to visit someday is Alaska, a place that would take him even farther northwest than the Okanogan Valley in British Columbia, Canada, where he spent summer breaks during elementary school harvesting apples in his first job.
His ideal breakfast is an omelet with hashbrowns, but it’s more often granola and toast. He has been a lifelong vegetarian and especially enjoys Italian, Mexican, Indian and Thai cuisine.
Whether in uniform or daily life, Cpl. Santee encourages other to “Be Kind.” His personal live-by motto, drawn from Edmund Burke, speaks to the sense of duty that has guided his life and career: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
“The Licking Police Department is committed to providing professional, compassionate, and ethical law enforcement services to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of our community. We strive to foster trust, build lasting partnerships, and uphold the highest standards of integrity and fairness.” City of Licking Police Mission Statement