O’FALLON, Mo. – Officials from O’Fallon and St. Charles, Mo., gathered Monday afternoon near Highway 79 for the groundbreaking of a new training facility that promises to be a catalyst for change for law enforcement in Missouri.
The new center will be unique in the state, bringing together all essential training components, from classrooms to shooting ranges.
“The biggest thing for us is that it is going to put everything in one spot. We’re going to be able to adapt the training with the needs of the community and the trends we see in society….instead of trying to find somewhere to do it and being behind the curve and waiting for someone else to do it,” St. Charles Chief of Police Ray Juengst said.
The 87-acre site will feature a one-mile emergency vehicle operations course, a 200-yard rifle and pistol range, an 11,000-square-foot Simunition house, with specialized K-9, drone and swat training facilities. This comprehensive setup is unprecedented within several states, making it a national standout.
“You can have officers come in from other states and they can do different trainings on-site. They are not traveling site to site,” Juengst said.
Invited guests included Gov. Mike Parson, Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, and Attorney General Andrew Bailey. Over 12 cities and organizations have united, urging Gov. Parson to support the initiative.
“There’s enough space and room that if we see something trending later, five, 10 years from now…we will be able to adapt it and add it here. We’re hoping the governor recognizes us and gives us the support that he knows he always wants to do. He’s always been a true supporter of law enforcement so we’re hoping that comes out in this budget here,” Juengst said.
Juengst told FOX 2 the facility is expected to be completed by the end of this year, but it is still to be determined.
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