Fresno Police Department - Regional Training Facility

Regional Training Facility

The research and study for the need of a dedicated law enforcement training center began in the 90’s. Members of the training unit visited a number of law enforcement training centers throughout the state examining types of components, users, business plans, funding sources, budgets, personnel, etc. In 1999 the state designated Fresno a Regional Law Enforcement Training Center

In 2004, the 2025 Public Safety Needs Assessment was conducted identifying the need for a training facility. In 2005, the Fresno City Council approved a Uniform Growth Management fee to provide support for public benefit projects. The Regional Training Center is 49% funded by these fees. The remaining 51% is funded by the General Fund, but that funding is offset by revenue generated by the center that comes from a variety of sources including POST, FCC, and other agencies.

In 2007, after reviewing a number of potential locations, 78 acres of land was acquired to utilize as the site for the training center. This site allowed for room to conduct realistic law enforcement training without impacting residential or commercial properties in the area.

In April of 2009 the Fresno City Council approved the construction contracts to build the training center at a cost of approximately 12.8 million dollars. Ground breaking took place in May 2009.

The City and the Air National Guard have already entered into a 25 year user agreement for $560,000. Other revenue generation is also occurring with billings to POST and FCC for courses that have already taken place and payments from other agencies for classes that will occur in the near future.

The very best training is that which is realistic. The most efficient training occurs when the results can be combined all in one location. With programmable targeting systems that present a variety of good guy/bad guy scenarios, high & low speed vehicle operations, state of the art classrooms, a mat room for arrest & control and defensive tactics, and other training tools, the facility provides realistic training that is challenging and meaningful to area law enforcement personnel.

The law enforcement training center covers 80 acres (323,748 square meters)in southwest Fresno, and features classrooms, an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC), firearms range, a “mat room,” and it opened in summer 2010.

• Driving
  • Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) featuring pursuit and urban driving environments
  • Skid Pad (240 ft x 300 ft)
  • PIT Training area (80 ft x 300 ft)
  • Driver Awareness (300 ft x 900 ft)
  • Collision avoidance area
  • 25 degree banked corner in pursuit course

• Firearms
  • Six 50 yard handgun ranges, 90 feet (27 m) wide each with 15 shooting lanes
  • 200 yard rifle range
  • Computer controlled targeting systems, including pop-up, rotating, and “running-man”

• Tactical
  • 3 story “Tactical Training House” using live-fire marking cartridges
    • Interior and exterior staircases
    • “Forced entry door”
    • Track system that allows walls and doors to be moved for unlimited room variations
    • Fog system to simulate operating in a gas (or low visibility) environment
    • Attic hatch for training in K-9 insertions and mirror techniques
    • Closed circuit camera for monitoring and debrief of scenarios
  • 3 story sniper tower, can also be used for rappelling and window assaults

• Arrest & Control / Defensive Tactics
  • Large “mat-room” for arrest and control, defensive tactics, baton, etc.

• Regional Skills Training Center
  • Four Law Enforcement Driving Simulator (LEDS) pods
  • Force Options Simulator (FOS) force simulation system
  • Courses provided to all local agencies as part of the POST Regional Skills Training Program