Regional Law Enforcement Training Center Passes Hurdle

A modern police training center to be shared by St. Charles County, St. Louis County, Jefferson County and Franklin County has now received approval from the legislative bodies of all four counties.

The Jefferson County Council became the fourth and final legislative body to approve the plan, voting unanimously in support at its Aug. 25 meeting.

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann spoke at a news conference Aug. 27 alongside St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon, and Franklin County Presiding Commissioner Dave Schatz.

"We want to applaud the legislative bodies who got this approved," Ehlmann says.

The four leaders will now turn their attention to site selection, construction and operation of the facility.

Among the provisions of the agreement between the four counties:

• Eight-member governing commission with four members from St. Louis County, two from St. Charles County, one from Jefferson County and one from Franklin County
• Commission to select a site near the demographic center of region
• Commission is the recipient of a state grant for construction costs
• Public bidding process for construction

The center will offer training sponsored by the member counties which will be available to all law enforcement in their counties and beyond, including the County and Municipal Police Academy, operated by St. Louis County. There will be both initial and continuing education training for all police officers in the region.

The $50 million state grant awarded by the Missouri Department of Public Safety will be used for building construction. Conceptual plans for the facility include replicas of an urban street and a home interior for real-world training scenarios, as well as virtual reality simulator rooms, traditional classrooms, simulator spaces and a specialized firing range capable of integrating vehicle-based firearms training.