Four Baltimore police officers who were among the first graduates of the Maryland Police Corps will travel to Worcester, Mass., to participate in a press conference today at which President Clinton will announce the expansion of the police-training program.

The Corps program offers students up to $30,000 to attend any four-year college in the nation in exchange for serving four years as a police officer. Five states, including Massachusetts, and one territory will be added to the Police Corps program, up from 17.

Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who developed the police training program, will not be able to attend because of other obligations, said Alan H. Fleischmann, her chief of staff. Her uncle, Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, will speak in her absence.

The four officers are Brian E. Pearson, 25, Todd F. Corriveau, 23, Daniel F. Edwards, 23, and Michael D. Jones, 23. Pearson, Corriveau and Edwards, rescued five people in July from a burning rowhouse in West Baltimore.

Clinton approved the Police Corps as part of the 1994 crime bill. The federally funded program has produced 220 officers, Fleischmann said. Students finish college, attend 16 weeks of training, then serve four years on the police force in a predetermined city.

Pub Date: 8/27/98