VETS GET CHANCE AT POLICE WORK THROUGH PROGRAM

Cairo is among more than a dozen Illinois communities that will share more than $2 million through a new police training program, "Troops to Cops."

Cairo will get $5,000 to train a military veteran hired for its police department.

U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, R-Ill., announced recently the Cairo and O'Fallon grants.

"This is a good program for law enforcements agencies," he said, because there is no local match in the program and "it helps strengthen local police forces."

The Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Defense developed the program to encourage the hiring of recent military veterans as law enforcement officers.

Troops to Cops will provide up to $5,000 per veteran hired to pay for law enforcement training.

"This is the first year for the program," said Charles Miller of the Justice Department. "Grants have ranged from $1,000 to $5,000 for the training."

The cost of training varies from area to area, said Miller. "I've seen some grants under $1,000." But in some instances, costs exceed the $5,000 maximum.

Some 14 communities in Illinois will receive the money for 15 officers at a cost of $67,490.

Other grants were awarded in Illinois to Carroll County, Chicago, Freeport, Lyons, Round Lake Beach, Sangamon County and Waukegan.

Among cities hiring veterans and receiving grants in Missouri are Kearney, Rolla, Raytown, Marshall, Vandalia, Webster Groves, Trenton and St. Louis.

A total of $15 million is set aside for the program, which falls under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) division of the Justice Department.

The veterans hired, said Miller, must have been a member of the armed forces on or after Oct. 1, 1993, and must have been honorably discharged or released from active duty.

"This program makes good sense for the taxpayers and our law enforcement community," added Costello. "It helps to strengthen our police forces in the 12th District, and is another step we can take in the fight against crime."