((a)) ** In general** Participants in State Police Corps programs shall be selected on a competitive basis by each State under regulations prescribed by the Director.

((b)) ** Selection criteria and qualifications**

((1)) In order to participate in a State Police Corps program, a participant shall—

((A)) be a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States;

((B)) meet the requirements for admission as a trainee of the State or local police force to which the participant will be assigned pursuant to , including achievement of satisfactory scores on any applicable examination, except that failure to meet the age requirement for a trainee of the State or local police shall not disqualify the applicant if the applicant will be of sufficient age upon completing an undergraduate course of study;

((C)) possess the necessary mental and physical capabilities and emotional characteristics to discharge effectively the duties of a law enforcement officer;

((D)) be of good character and demonstrate sincere motivation and dedication to law enforcement and public service;

((E)) in the case of an undergraduate, agree in writing that the participant will complete an educational course of study leading to the award of a baccalaureate degree and will then accept an appointment and complete 4 years of service as an officer in the State police or in a local police department within the State;

((F)) in the case of a participant desiring to undertake or continue graduate study, agree in writing that the participant will accept an appointment and complete 4 years of service as an officer in the State police or in a local police department within the State before undertaking or continuing graduate study;

((G)) contract, with the consent of the participant’s parent or guardian if the participant is a minor, to serve for 4 years as an officer in the State police or in a local police department, if an appointment is offered; and

((H)) except as provided in paragraph (2), be without previous law enforcement experience.

((2))

((A)) Until the date that is 5 years after , up to 10 percent of the applicants accepted into the Police Corps program may be persons who—

((i)) have had some law enforcement experience; and

((ii)) have demonstrated special leadership potential and dedication to law enforcement.

((B))

((i)) The prior period of law enforcement of a participant selected pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall not be counted toward satisfaction of the participant’s 4-year service obligation under , and such a participant shall be subject to the same benefits and obligations under this part as other participants, including those stated in section  (b)(1)(E) and (F).

((ii)) Clause (i) shall not be construed to preclude counting a participant’s previous period of law enforcement experience for purposes other than satisfaction of the requirements of , such as for purposes of determining such a participant’s pay and other benefits, rank, and tenure.

((3)) It is the intent of this part that there shall be no more than 20,000 participants in each graduating class. The Director shall approve State plans providing in the aggregate for such enrollment of applicants as shall assure, as nearly as possible, annual graduating classes of 20,000. In a year in which applications are received in a number greater than that which will produce, in the judgment of the Director, a graduating class of more than 20,000, the Director shall, in deciding which applications to grant, give preference to those who will be participating in State plans that provide law enforcement personnel to areas of greatest need.

((c)) ** Recruitment of minorities** Each State participating in the Police Corps program shall make special efforts to seek and recruit applicants from among members of all racial, ethnic or gender groups. This subsection does not authorize an exception from the competitive standards for admission established pursuant to subsections (a) and (b).

((d)) ** Enrollment of applicant**

((1)) An applicant shall be accepted into a State Police Corps program on the condition that the applicant will be matriculated in, or accepted for admission at, a 4-year institution of higher education—

((A)) as a full-time student in an undergraduate program; or

((B)) for purposes of taking a graduate course.

((2)) If the applicant is not matriculated or accepted as set forth in paragraph (1), the applicant’s acceptance in the program shall be revoked.

((e)) ** Leave of absence**

((1)) A participant in a State Police Corps program who requests a leave of absence from educational study, training or service for a period not to exceed 1 year (or 18 months in the aggregate in the event of multiple requests) due to temporary physical or emotional disability shall be granted such leave of absence by the State.

((2)) A participant who requests a leave of absence from educational study, training or service for a period not to exceed 1 year (or 18 months in the aggregate in the event of multiple requests) for any reason other than those listed in paragraph (1) may be granted such leave of absence by the State.

((3)) A participant who requests a leave of absence from educational study or training for a period not to exceed 30 months to serve on an official church mission may be granted such leave of absence.

((f)) ** Admission of applicants** An applicant may be admitted into a State Police Corps program either before commencement of or during the applicant’s course of educational study.