Police Scholarship Program Continues in Nevada; Justice Department Approves Nevada Interagency Agreement

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999 | 3:15 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- Nevada will continue as one of 25 states that participate in the Justice Department's Police Corps program. The Police Corps program, which was authorized in the 1994 Crime Act, provides federal scholarships on a competitive basis to college students who agree to serve as police officers for four years.

Nevada has participated in the Police Corps program since 1996 and is currently developing a training curriculum that will provide rigorous physical and moral police training for Police Corps recruits. Participation in the program will allow Nevada police and sheriff's departments to increase their number of officers with advanced education and training assigned to community patrol. The program reduces local hiring and training costs by providing hiring agencies $10,000 for each participant's first four years of service.

A second component of the program offers no-obligation college scholarships to dependents of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

"The Police Corps program is an excellent opportunity for highly motivated, qualified young people to receive federal assistance and serve our counties and cities as law enforcement officers," said Laurie Robinson, Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs. "As community policing takes hold, these officers are making a difference in the communities they serve."

The Police Corps program, which is administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) Office of the Police Corps and Law Enforcement Education (OPCLEE), provides students with up to $7,500 a year toward a baccalaureate or graduate degree. Students may receive a maximum of $30,000 under the program, which covers tuition, room and board. To be eligible, a student must attend a public or non-profit 4-year college or university. Students who attend community college are eligible once they transfer to a 4-year institution. Participants may choose to study criminal justice and law enforcement or may pursue degrees in other fields.

For additional information about the Nevada Police Corps program, contact Karen Kennard at 775/684-8077. Information is also available through OJP's web site at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/opclee.