Otter Tail County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons is excited to announce the commencement of the Law Enforcement Scholarship Program for 2023. 

Sheriff Fitzgibbons announced that the MSA Board of Directors has established a scholarship fund for the awarding of up to 20 – $2,000 scholarships for this year. These scholarships are due to the coordinated efforts of the 87 Sheriffs of the State of Minnesota.

The Members of MSA gives special recognition to the financial needs of students attending the peace officer skills course, or one of the two or four year law enforcement degree colleges. Sheriff Fitzgibbons and MSA recognize that some students need outside help in meeting the costs of such training, even though they may excel academically.

The Scholarship Committee, in making its selection of awards, intends on achieving representation from all geographical areas of the state. Scholarship awards will be announced by December 29, 2023. Application forms and a statement of procedures are available at the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office. 

Scholarships are only available to students currently enrolled in one of the following three categories:

1. Mandated POST Skills Program

2. In their second year of a two-year law enforcement program.

3. In their third or fourth year of a four-year college criminal justice program.

In order to qualify, students must have completed at least one year of the two-year program or two years of a four-year program. Students meeting these criteria are invited to obtain a scholarship application form from their local sheriff’s office or online at www.mnsheriffs.org.

*You can also stop in or contact the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office for more information.