During the Nov. 26 Town Hall meeting, Edgewood’s Police Department proposed establishing a mobile training facility to provide its officers with the highest standard of training.
An overview of the location, design features, safety measures and cost considerations illustrated the need for enhanced training, improved officer safety, and increased community trust.
Lieutenant David Lovato and Detective Ryan Collier presented the offices’ proposal through a presentation packet every commission member received.
“We propose the development of a state-of-the-art training facility for our police department. This facility will address the increasing demand for rigorous and realistic firearms training, improve officers’ marksmanship and decision-making skills, and contribute to overall public safety,” Collier said.
The importance of providing realistic training was highlighted by discussing a landmark Supreme Court Case, Popow v. Margate. This case showcases how training negligence led to a fatal and significant lawsuit in New Jersey in 1979.
This initiative will better prepare officers and reduce liability. Collier referenced issues faced by other agencies, such as the Albuquerque Police Department, which paid $68 million in lawsuit settlements over a decade due to inadequacies, including failure-to-train claims.
They also emphasized the significance of “enhanced law enforcement training and operational efficiency.”
The Edgewood Police Department proposed the location of the training facility at 170 Bassett Road.
This location would offer a secure and vast 20-acre site within town limits, reducing reliance on out-of-town venues. Outdoor ranges, classroom and briefing areas and safety protocols are the key features of this project.
Edgewood’s law enforcement faces challenges such as using training facilities outside city limits, logistical difficulties, limitations in access to said facilities and a delayed response in emergencies.
The plan is for officers to become better prepared for real-world emergencies by increasing the training quality, all while reducing costs.
“Reality-based training is limited. We are restricted to a static line the majority of the time, which is not realistic in a real-world environment,” said Collier in response to Commissioner Sterling Donner’s concern about the current shooting limitation distance of their current range locations.
The proposed site would provide a secure environment for training, allowing users to try out different scenarios and specific exercises. It can also be easily relocated.
Modeled after successful facilities in Artesia, Bernalillo County, and APD’s stack TAC facility, the intention is to foster collaboration and a sense of alertness while fostering a sense of community and improving the logistics and coordination of operations.
As explained in the presentation, the setup costs are under $4,000, and the potential revenue is $30,000 per firearms instructor course.
After careful consideration, the motion was unanimously approved. Commissioners issued a Request for Proposal for a permanent modular facility.
They showed their appreciation for the proposal’s potential impact on public safety and town operations, as it could serve various departments and explore the idea of repurposing an existing facility.