Prospective police recruits can now take advantage of a scholarship program to help offset the costs of attending the police academy.
The state legislature, working alongside the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) and the Bristol Community College Police Department, has allocated $750,000 to fund up to 100 scholarships for police recruits.
MPTC Executive Director Richard Rathbun says prospective officers often have to pay for equipment and training needed to complete the academy, impacting the number of available recruits.
Recruits can apply for the scholarships through the Bristol Community College Police Department.
Fall River Police Department Interim Chief Kelly Furtado says the city is proactively seeking recruits to fill upwards of 40 patrol officer positions. She says the scholarship program will provide financial support to recruits and streamline the onboarding of new officers.
