Dallas Police Training Academy Gets $10 Million Boost for New Facility

The Communities Foundation of Texas is granting $10 million to the Dallas Police Training Academy, representing a significant step toward constructing a new, state-of-the-art facility on UNT Dallas’ campus.

The Dallas Police Training Academy is poised for a transformative upgrade with a $10 million grant from the Communities Foundation of Texas. This funding kick-starts the creation of a new, state-of-the-art facility on the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas) campus, highlighting a groundbreaking public-private partnership aimed at redefining law enforcement training.

Currently housed in an inadequate and outdated rental space, the new academy promises a substantial leap forward. The planned facility, in collaboration with the Caruth Police Institute, will feature modern training environments and educational resources, emphasizing reality-based training scenarios. Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia emphasized the project’s significance, stating it will fundamentally shape the department’s future and, by extension, the safety and well-being of the community.

The total projected cost of the academy is $140 million, with funding efforts split between private contributions, including the initial $10 million grant, a $50 million allocation from this year’s bond package, and $20 million from the state of Texas. State Senator Royce West has been instrumental in securing state funds, underscoring the collaborative effort across political lines to support this pivotal initiative.

Expected to be operational in three years, the new Dallas Regional Police Academy aims not only to enhance the training and preparedness of new officers but also to serve as a model of unity and progress in law enforcement practices across the country.