Training Begins
By: Whitney Ray
Updated: August 20, 2007
About 20 law enforcement officers from northwest Arkansas will begin federal training Tuesday in Boston. Six officers from the Rogers Police Department will spend the next five weeks learning how to enforce immigration law. Theyll be joined by Springdale police as well as Benton and Washington County deputies in Boston for training in the 287 (g) Program. The agencies applied for the program to help fight illegal immigration, but even though the officers will receive the specialized training the program hasnt been approved yet.
"Theyre out a substantial amount of money so that gives me an optimistic outlook on what the answer on the memorandum of our agreement might be," said Rogers Police Chief Steve Helms.
Rogers Mayor Steve Womack says its just a matter of time before the program is approved.
