"Troops to Cops" Conversion Program Announced
 
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Recently separated and soon to be
separated veterans will be able to join the ranks of local
peacekeepers through a new police training grant program announced
May 2 by the Departments of Defense and Justice.
     The program, "Troops to Cops," will provide up to $5,000 in
training to eligible policing agencies for each veteran hired this
year.  The Department of Defense has made $15 million available to
the Community Oriented Policing Services Program (COPS) to assist
with conversion efforts and help expedite President Clinton's
mandate to put 100,000 peace officers on the street.
     Eligible veterans must have been a member of the Armed Forces
on or after Oct. 1, 1993, and must have been honorably discharged.
Veterans can contact their local transition office to find out
about police vacancies.
     More than 7,700 law enforcement agencies across the country
who have been selected to receive COPS hiring grants will be
eligible for funding.  Grants may be used to pay for academy,
supplemental, or in-service training costs for veterans hired after
Jan. 1, 1995.  As with all COPS-funded programs, officers hired
must receive training in community policing.
                                  -USN-
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