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On June 21, Dr. Jim Henningsen, president of the College of Central Florida, presented Ocala Police Department Chief Mike Balken with a check for $7,070.16 to help support the police department in accordance with the Open Door Grant Program.

The Open Door Grant Program was created by the Florida Legislature in 2021 to create and sustain a demand-driven supply of credentialed workers for high-demand occupations and expand the affordability of workforce training and credentialing.

91��Ƭ was the recipient of $267,453 in Open Door funding and has disbursed funds by partnering with law enforcement agencies including the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Ocala Police Department, which are experiencing an increased need for qualified, well-trained law enforcement personnel. The grant funds support law enforcement recruits attaining certification through the Criminal Justice Institute at 91��Ƭ by helping to reduce expenses and barriers to completion and increase the number of qualified graduates to fill open law enforcement jobs.

“The Ocala Police Department is a valued partner in 91��Ƭ’s endeavor to train future law enforcement officers,” said Dr. Jennifer Fryns, associate vice president of career and professional programs. “We are thrilled to have been awarded funding to help offset the expense of that training and to further strengthen that partnership.”

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