The Port St. Lucie Police Department’s (PSLPD) new state-of-the art police training facility became operational this past weekend, almost two years to the day after its groundbreaking.
Department personnel are set to begin their transition into the 54,000-square-foot, approximately $28 million high-tech structure at 184 SW Thanksgiving Ave., across from police headquarters on Port St. Lucie Boulevard.
The facility, a first in the 46-year history of the department, will provide intensive and specialized training for PSLPD officers.
The department was established in 1980 with a force of nine officers that served 12,000 residents. Today, it employs over 300 sworn officers and over 80 civilians, and serves over 250,000 residents.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of the people who call Port St. Lucie home. This training facility is another investment in our police department and in the future of our city. It gives our officers the opportunity to train, strengthen their skills and prepare for the challenges that they face every day. When they’re equipped to do their job at the highest possible level, our community benefits,” said Mayor Shannon Martin.
“Designed to meet the evolving needs of one of Florida’s fastest-growing cities, the facility represents a significant investment in the future of public safety, providing officers with the most advanced, realistic and efficient training environment available,” reads a press release about the new center.
Highlights of the facility include:
• A 20-lane, 9,508-square-foot indoor firearms range that features an integrated MILO live-fire scenario system.
• An almost 3,000-square-foot shoot house with configurable rooms for realistic scenario-based training.
• A MILO Virtual Simulation Theater for immersive decision-making and de-escalation exercises.
• Dedicated defensive tactics training room equipped with Axon VR technology.
• A modern multi-purpose training room for classroom instruction, conference, virtual presentations and large-scale training.
• Advanced audio-visual technology throughout the facility.
• Three floors of office space to support the training and Criminal Investigation Divisions. It includes 19 offices and 86 workstations.
The facility was designed by ADG Architecture and constructed by HJ High.
“This facility represents PSLPD’s continued commitment to innovation, officer preparedness and providing the highest level of services to the residents of Port St. Lucie,” reads the release.