ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — The groundbreaking on the Center for Advanced Skills Training in Law Enforcement will happen Monday afternoon. The new center is said to have every component of training officers need to be ready to serve the community. The groundbreaking is set to begin at 3 p.m., and the center will be located at this address: 2400 Hwy 79, O'Fallon, MO 63366.
The center will be built on 87 acres near Highway 79, just north of Interstate 70. The facility is a partnership between the cities of O'Fallon and St. Charles to establish a "regional police training center and create more teamwork when it comes to tackling crime," according to the City of O'Fallon's website. They also hope to bring in local and out of state police partners for training opportunities.
Most neighboring community leaders expressed interest in using the 200-yard shooting range, a one-mile emergency vehicle operations course and a fully functional two-story building where they'll train for critical encounters.
Last year, O'Fallon and St. Charles officials said they conducted a survey about the regional training center. Mayors from Wentzville, Cottleville, St. Peters and more wrote letters to Gov. Mike Parson to show their support. Sheriffs from St. Louis city and county also support the center. For a full list of who supports the project, click here.
A letter of support from Mike Elam from St. Charles County Council said: "The collaboration between the cities of O’Fallon and St. Charles marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing battle against crime in the St Louis region. This proposed training center represents more than just bricks and mortar; it symbolizes a unified front against the challenges that threaten our communities. By consolidating all necessary training components onto one campus, this center will revolutionize law enforcement training in Missouri."
The new training facility will also include seven training classrooms, SWAT and drone training space, a K-9 training course and a one-mile emergency vehicle operations course, as well as and a landing pad and many other tools for police officers to use.
It will be near the law enforcement training center at the O'Fallon Justice Center, which has been providing training since 2017.
O'Fallon's website did not immediately say what the price tag of the project is or when expected completion will be.
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