MOORHEAD (KFGO) – The Moorhead Police Department is receiving state grant funds to help up to three people who have two or four year college degrees become peace officers.
Gov. Tim Walz announced the new Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training (ICPOET) Grant Program this week, and Moorhead Police has been awarded $150,000.
“We’ll be able to hire the person, onboard them through our process, give them that frame of reference of our department, and then send them to Alexandria Technical and Community College for 22 weeks while they’re being paid to attend school,” Capt. Deric Swenson said.
Swenson said, once they’ve completed their training, they will immediately become a sworn officer with the department.
Swenson says the department is down 11 patrol positions, which makes it difficult to schedule vacations and cover special events.
Walz says 35 Minnesota agencies will receive funding from the grant program.
“Law enforcement is a critical public service. We cannot keep our communities safe without trained, licensed officers – this program will help interested Minnesotans enter the profession,” Walz said. “This funding is a demonstration of our commitment to support officer training and build a force that reflects the communities they serve.”
People accepted into the program will begin training this fall. The program includes housing, meals, and pay of $25 an hour.
More information and an application is on the City of Moorhead’s website. There is also an open house/job fair Monday from 4-6 p.m. at the Law Enforcement Center in Moorhead.
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