Officials eye Police Academy scholarship

Kingston Police Commission considering scholarship for local resident to Police Academy.

KINGSTON, N.Y. » City officials are considering creating a scholarship program that would allow a young person from the community to attend for free the first phase of the Police Academy used to train new officers.

During the May 16 meeting of the Kingston Board of Police Commissioners, police Chief Egidio Tinti said the scholarship would be a way for the city to potentially “home grow” officers. He said the scholarship would pay for a chosen candidate to attend the pre-employment Police Basic Training Program at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster on Mary’s Avenue. Through the scholarship, the city would pay for the candidate’s tuition and materials, which would include books and some uniforms, Tinti said. He said the cost to the city would be approximately $2,000 for the tuition, along with equipment.

Tinti said the city is currently working on an application process for the scholarship. He said it would be open to a person from the community who is at least 18 years old. Tinti added that applicant would still have to meet entry standards to attend the academy.

“The program is a commitment,” Tinti said. He said requirement include a physical fitness component and that the “academics are very stringent.” Tinti said not everyone who starts the academy, finishes.

Mayor Steve Noble said he is looking into funding for the scholarship. He said he hoped to have the program up and running in June so the application could go out to the public.

Tinti said the next fulltime academy begins in July. He said there is also a part-time academy that runs from January through July where attendees have classes from 6 to 10 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and all day on Saturday.

A candidate who successfully completes the basic training could find a part-time position in law enforcement or take the civil service test for the Kingston Police Department, Tinti said. He added that the second phase of the academy is for sworn officers and includes firearms instruction, counterterrorism, and field training.

Tinti said once the application requirements have been drafted, the availability of the program will be advertised to the public.