The Philadelphia Police Department opened a new “regional tactical training facility” in the Northeast on Aug. 20. All of the city’s law enforcement agencies, as well as agencies from throughout the region, will be able to study S.W.A.T., ordinance (bomb) disposal and K-9 operations at the facility, according to a statement issued by Mayor Michael Nutter.
“Public safety is a critical function of city government, and this facility will give the Philadelphia Police Department the best possible environment for training officers to respond to public safety emergencies,” Nutter said. “This new state-of-the-art facility will enable all three PPD tactical squads, as well as law enforcement agencies from around the region, to save time and money by sharing resources in a space that is centrally located.”
The facility is on the grounds of the Philadelphia Police Academy at 8501 State Road. It covers 31,000 square feet and cost $13.5 million to create. Trainees will have direct access to the police department’s existing firing range to “increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the training provided,” according to the mayor’s statement. The facility is in the process of achieving LEED Gold Certification for the environmental considerations incorporated into its design, in keeping with the mayor’s Greenworks Philadelphia plan. If successful, it would become the city’s first LEED Gold certified project. ••
