Groundbreaking Held for New Law Enforcement Training Center
Date Posted: June 27, 2024
Posted In: Projects,
From Mid Rivers Newsmagazine: On Monday, June 24, on a 98-degree afternoon, O’Fallon and St. Charles City hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new regional law enforcement facility to be constructed on an 87-acre site at 2400 Hwy. 79. St. Charles County Council member, Mike Elam (District 3) was the event’s master of ceremonies.
The two cities have partnered to develop the training center, officially named the Center for Advanced Skills Training in Law Enforcement.
“Through this collaboration, we’re fostering teamwork, sharing expertise and creating a stronger, united front against the crime that plagues our cities,” an O’Fallon press release stated.
Training facility construction will be in phases over several years as funding becomes available from the two cities, state funding and federal grants. On June 30, 2023, Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed the 2024 state budget, but line-item vetoed a planned $12 million for this police training center. Funds were again placed in the 2025 state budget for this facility, but it is not known at press time if the governor will approve it.
Phase 1A for the training center involved very basic grading of the site. Actual facility construction begins with Phase 1B in 2024, which involved building a 200-yard firing range.