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Police agencies short of staff have a chance at a new tool to help them entice potential officers after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday signed a new round of funding designed to bolster Michigan's police force.
Agencies can apply for a piece of $30 million in grant scholarships earmarked to help agencies cover law enforcement training academy costs for new recruits.
Law enforcement agencies can apply for up to $4,000 per recruit for salaries and benefits and up to $20,000 for academy tuition and other training costs traditionally paid by the employing agency.
Alpena-area police agencies in recent years have struggled to recruit officers, although the Alpena County Sheriff's Office recently reported it was close to a full staff.
Agencies may receive up to 25 scholarships over the course of the new scholarship program, which does not apply to recruits not already hired by an agency prior to academy enrollment, according to the state.