PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - On July 24, the ribbon was cut for a 54,283-square-foot, state-of-the-art police training center on the Port St. Lucie City Hall grounds, just northwest of the police department.
The construction lasted four years and cost $28.8 million, according to Hometown News. Included in the three-story facility are:
A 20 lane, 9,508-square-foot indoor firearms range featuring an integrated MILO live-fire scenario system;
A 2,2848-square-foot tactical shoot house with configurable rooms for realistic scenario-based training;
A MILO Virtual Simulation Theater for immersive decision-making and de-escalation exercises;
A dedicated defensive tactics training room equipped with Axon VR technology;
A multi-purpose training room designed for classroom instruction, conferences, virtual presentations, and large-scale training;
Three floors of office space supporting the Training Division and Criminal Investigations Division, including 19 offices and 86 workstations;
And advanced audio/visual technology throughout the facility to support collaborative training and instruction.
"This project is all about making sure our officers have the space, training, and resources they need to continue serving our community at the highest level,” Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin said in a statement. “Keeping Port St. Lucie the safest large city in Florida takes more than dedication. It requires planning ahead and making smart investments that prepare our officers for the challenges they face every day."
The new facility was designed by ADG Architecture and constructed by HJ High, with specialized contributions from industry leaders including Action Target, MILO, Whelen, and numerous additional project partners, according to Port St. Lucie Police.
As of July 27, the city has a population of more than 260,000. There is a total of 455 employees at the police department with 360 sworn officers.
For years, officers traveled to Indian River State College in Fort Pierce for extensive training, according to Officer Brittany McNally. "By bringing much of that training in-house, this facility will reduce those recurring costs while allowing us to train more efficiently and effectively,” she said in a statement.
"Equally important, the new training facility provides our officers with access to state-of-the-art technology and realistic, scenario-based training that better prepares them for the complex situations they may face in the field. From recruit training to advanced tactical instruction and continuing education, our officers will now have the resources needed to sharpen their skills throughout their careers right in our own backyard," she added.
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