John Reinert Scholarship

The John Reinert Scholarship award is for individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgender and who are pursuing a career in law enforcement by attending a basic law enforcement training program.  This could be a basic police academy, sheriff’s academy, corrections academy, or 9-1-1 dispatcher academy.  We believe that one of the best ways of eliminating homophobia in law enforcement is by having positive and visible role models from the LGBT community serving in ranks of the law enforcement profession.  We also recognize the courage required to “come out” and to be “out” on the job as a law enforcement professional.  Our scholarships reward those individuals who have the courage and willingness to be visible role models in law enforcement.

Scholarship awards are $1000 and are typically announced in June and December of each year.   The following is a list of our scholarship requirements.

• Identify and be “out” as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgender.
• Be currently enrolled in a basic law enforcement training program (eg. police academy, dispatcher academy, correctional officer academy) in the United States. (sponsored or self-sponsored).
• Demonstrate being a visible, positive role model for law enforcement.
• Demonstrate being able to graduate from a law enforcement training program.

Note:  Scholarship applicants can be hired employees of an agency or self-sponsored students.  Financial need is not a requirement to apply.  Persons related to members of the Board of Directors are not eligible to apply.