PHCC plans A+ police academy

Now in the design phase, the $6-million expansion project calls for state-of-the-art training in law enforcement in Dade City.

By AMY ELLIS

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 17, 2000

DADE CITY -- As plans for a new police academy move forward, officials at Pasco-Hernando Community College say the state-of-the-art center will offer cadets better hands-on training in more real-life situations.

Already, cadets are able to practice maneuvering police cars at high speeds on an emergency driving "skid pad" at PHCC's east campus in Dade City.

Once the rest of the $6-million project is complete, students will have use of a mock courtroom, interrogation rooms with one-way mirrors and an elaborate scenario room for training exercises.

Now in the design phase, the rest of the new law enforcement academy at PHCC will be a far cry from the cluster of temporary buildings on U.S. 41 that now houses the program, said Gayle Brooks, who oversees career and technical programs at the college.

"We will be able to offer all of the advanced and specialized training for law enforcement and corrections officers," Brooks said. "We're hoping this will be one of the finest academies in the state."

At its meeting Tuesday, PHCC's board of trustees awarded the design contract for the project to Reynolds, Smith and Hills, the Tampa firm that also designed much of the college's New Port Richey and Brooksville campuses.

The 34,000-square-foot building will house forensics and computer labs, classrooms, a small auditorium and sallyport used to simulate the transporting of inmates.

Because most law enforcement courses are taught during the day, the college may use the new building for other classes at night, said Ken Burdzinski, vice president of business services at the college.

"We are building that sort of flexibility into the design," he said.

Plans for an indoor firing range were axed after college officials learned it would cost $2-million to $4-million to build, Burdzinski said. Instead, the college will continue to use an existing outdoor range at the PHCC campus in Gowers Corner.

Nearly 300 students attend PHCC's criminal justice, law enforcement and correctional officer training programs each year.

In addition to training new recruits, the college offers continuing education for officers on topics such as hostage negotiations and use of radar, Brooks said.

With a larger, more sophisticated academy, the college soon may expand its offerings, Brooks said. Already in the works are courses in crime scene technology and law enforcement dispatch.

Although enrollment has been down in recent years, PHCC hopes the appeal of a state-of-the-art academy will draw new recruits from around Florida.

Work on the project is expected to begin this fall and should be finished late next year.

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