INL – Increasing Police Recruitment to Counter FTOs and TCOs in Colombia

The program will increase the recruitment of qualified candidates from INL Bogota’s priority geographic areas —regions that are critical to U.S. interests due to their high levels of coca production, narcotrafficking, and child recruitment by criminal organizations. By building a more capable and professional police force in these strategically important areas, this scholarship program will help disrupt criminal networks at their source, reducing the flow of illicit drugs, weapons, and human trafficking that threaten the United States. The program will support the recruitment and training of approximately 1,000 CNP students per year: 600 for non-commissioned officer (NCO) roles and 400 for commissioned officer (CO) roles. A stronger Colombian police presence in these regions will advance U.S. national security priorities, safeguard American lives, and promote stability in the Western Hemisphere. The program will provide scholarship support to qualified candidates through a structured financial management system. The implementor will ensure timely monthly electronic funds transfer payments to the bank accounts of scholarship recipients or service providers for required items. Scholarship recipients will receive electronic funds transfers only for approved support expenses. To strengthen internal controls, the implementer will minimize direct cash handling and ensure all disbursement are documented and subject to audit.