(Monaca, Pa.)  The CCBC Foundation announced a new scholarship endowed by the Beaver Valley Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) for the 2022 fall semester. The scholarship will support students pursuing a career in the criminal justice field with the goal of increasing diversity in the workforce. 

The Beaver Valley Fraternal Order of Police is the largest organization of law enforcement officers in Beaver County, consisting of members from over 30 law enforcement agencies. It is the fourth oldest lodge in the United States following the founding of the FOP by two Pittsburgh police officers in 1915. Today, over 100 years after the first meeting, the FOP consists of more than 2,100 lodges. The organization supports law enforcement officers through education, legislation, community involvement, and employee representation. 

The endowment of $10,000 will offer financial support to minority and underrepresented students who are studying criminal justice. CCBC offers multiple criminal justice and public safety degree and training programs, including Criminal Justice, Police Technology, and the Police Academy.

Scholarships are awarded according to the following criteria:

• Applicants must be a full-time student enrolled in for-credit courses at CCBC.
• Applicants must have applied for financial aid.
• Applicants must submit a completed scholarship application by the stated deadline to the Executive Director of the CCBC Foundation.

Established in 1974, the Police Training Academy at CCBC offers Act 120 training required to become a certified police officer in Pennsylvania as well as Act 180 Mandatory In-Service training for active-duty police officers. The Academy operates with the assistance of the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission to provide physical and defensive tactics, firearms, and emergency vehicle operation training to cadets and current officers. Cadets who receive their Act 120 can also go on to receive an associate degree in Police Technology.

The Criminal Justice program prepares students for careers in a wide variety of fields including corrections, probations and parole, juvenile justice, substance abuse counseling, and paralegal studies. Coursework includes investigative techniques such as crime lab analysis, forensics, interrogation, and criminal law. An optional internship provides real-world experience while students continue earning credits toward their degree. CCBC awards two-year associate degrees in Criminal Justice – Applied Science. The major is also Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center (TAOC) approved, meaning that graduates are prepared to transfer to a four-year college or university that offers a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. 

The criminal justice field includes a wide variety of careers at local, state, and federal levels. These important jobs require a diverse workforce that accurately represent the communities they serve to build trust, understand, and respond to their needs, and encourage faith in law enforcement and the government. The Beaver Valley Fraternal Order of Police Scholarship is a valuable addition to the opportunities available to CCBC students through the CCBC Foundation.

To learn more about other scholarship opportunities, apply or donate: https://www.ccbcfoundation.org/scholarships