1. A. The Department of Public Safety shall be the lead agency in Oklahoma responsible for administering the federal Police Corps Program, as established in the Police Corps Act, 42 U.S.C., Section 14091 et seq. As lead agency, the Department of Public Safety shall be responsible for submitting the state police corps plan to the Office of the Police Corps, as required by 42 U.S.C., Section 14094.
2. B. The Commissioner of Public Safety is authorized to enter into agreements with the United States Department of Justice for the purpose of participating in the federal police corps program.

3. C. There is hereby created in the Department of Public Safety the "Oklahoma Police Corps Program". The purpose of the Program is to:

   1. 1. Provide educational opportunities, on a competitive basis, for any United States citizen to obtain a baccalaureate degree or to pursue graduate study if such resident:

      1. a. is a student enrolled at or holds a baccalaureate degree from a college or university which is recognized by and accepted by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and whose hours are eligible for transfer between such recognized institutions, and
      2. b. possesses and demonstrates a sincere interest in public service in the field of law enforcement;
   2. 2. Provide law enforcement training, with a stipend during training, to any United States citizen with a baccalaureate degree who will commit to a minimum of four (4) years of commissioned service with a law enforcement agency in this state;
   3. 3. Provide participating agencies in this state with participants of the Program who are trained peace officers certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training and with agency subsidies for the first four (4) years of employment of the participants as certified peace officers; and
   4. 4. Undertake the necessary planning, training, and other actions required to enable Oklahoma to participate in the federal police corps program.

Laws 2001, HB 1231, c. 167, § 3, emerg. eff. May 2, 2001; Amended by Laws 2002, HB 2302, c. 397, § 11, eff. November 1, 2002 (superseded document available).