The Out To Protect Scholarship Program is the only national scholarship program directly supporting "out" LGBT law enforcement students who are currently enrolled in a basic police academy, law enforcement training program, or corrections program.

We offer a Law Enforcement Scholarship for individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, or a straight ally and who are pursuing a career in law enforcement by putting themselves through a basic training program. Our goal is to support individuals who are positive role models in law enforcement and who are "out" to their peers. We believe that by exposing law enforcement personnel to positive role models that the age-old attitudes and stereotypes about GLBT personnel working in law enforcement can change. We also recognize the courage required to "come out" and that required to be "out" on the job as a law enforcement professional.

The scholarship amount and number of awards is based on the number of donations we receive. Out To Protect is a non-profit organization operated by a group of dedicated law enforcement professionals who believe in the importance and value of diversity in the ranks of law enforcement. We receive donations mostly from working law enforcement officers and law enforcement professional associations. Our goal is to offer awards in June and December of each year. For more information about the scholarships available, please review the Scholarhip Application page.

The following is a list of our scholarship requirements. Applicants must demonstrate that they have met each requirement in order to be considered. This is done through the application and verification process. You have nothing to lose by submitting an application, so we encourage you to give it your best effort.

Join us for two radio programs this month all about LGBT law enforcement personnel and learn about how training for police about the LGBT community is changing for the better.

Outbeat Now! - Sunday, May 23, 2010, 8PM to 9PM PST

Featuring stories about Chief Susan Jones of the Healdsburg Police Department who is retiring after 30 years on the job and about the LAPD's move of their youth program away from the Boy Scouts of America in order to be inclusive of LGBT youth. We will also feature a live interview with cadets from the Napa Police Academy who will talk about their research project on the Transgender Community.

Outbeat Radio Comes Out From Behind The Badge, May 30, 2010 8PM to 9PM PST

This is a special one-hour show all about how LGBT law enforcement officers who are "out" on the job. We will hear from officers of all ages from around the country about their experience on the job. The show will also feature a close look at the homophobia that still exists in law enforcement and how training is changing to prevent it.

Outbeat Radio is a weekly show airing exclusively on KRCB Radio in Santa Rosa, California. Anyone can listen online from anywhere in the world at www.krcb.org. Learn more about these shows at www.comingoutfrombehindthebadge.com and at www.outbeatyouth.com