Montgomery, Faulkner enter agreement to give officers tuition cut

In a continuing effort to boost the number of police officers in the city, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed announced Wednesday a new partnership with Faulkner University that will allow police officers to receive a 60-percent tuition reduction at the university and will allow them to designate two family members to receive a 50-percent tuition reduction. 

“We’re excited and grateful to partner with Faulkner University to help our officers and their families achieve their educational dreams,” Reed said in a statement. “This partnership shows our commitment to investing in those who protect our community and to making MPD a more attractive place to work and grow. This collaboration exemplifies how we can work together to support our officers and enhance our city.”

All children of full-time MPD personnel will also be eligible for a 50-percent reduction for adult undergrad courses at the Montgomery campus. Additionally, the personnel, family members and children are all eligible for a 5-percent reduction on tuition for the Executive JD program. 

The discounts would total a minimum of $10,000 per academic year for the students. 

Reed and city and MPD officials have been working for the past few years to try to lure officers into MPD and slow losses. Like numerous police departments around the country, MPD has lost a significant number of employees over the last 10 years

Pay increases and more attractive bonuses and benefits have done little to slow the defections for any of the departments, and leaders of cities around the country have begun looking for more creative ideas to keep officers and lure new recruits.