Communities Foundation of Texas donated $10 million to UNT Dallas for Dallas police academy center
Dallas, Texas – The Dallas Police Department is set to transform its training setup thanks to a large contribution that’s kick-started the project. The University of North Texas at Dallas has been given a $10 million grant from the Communities Foundation of Texas.
The biggest donation in the history
This is the biggest donation the university has ever received. This money marks the start of funding for a cutting-edge law enforcement training center that’s planned to open by 2027, as announced on Thursday.
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Currently, the Dallas Police Academy operates out of a small, rented space in the Red Bird area, which is quite old and worn out. FOX 4 News reported that some officers have even spent $4,000 out of their own pockets to improve the training facilities.
Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia expressed excitement about the new academy, mentioning the benefit of having experts and criminologists involved to steer the future of law enforcement in North Texas.
City of Dallas and Texas state Legislature already helping the $140 million project
The total cost for building the new Dallas Regional Police Academy on the UNT Dallas campus is estimated at $140 million. The state Legislature has already promised $20 million, and the city of Dallas is set to pitch in $50 million from this year’s bond package.
The plan is to cover the rest of the money needed through private donations and charitable grants. State Senator Royce West has been pivotal in getting the state’s share, highlighting the united effort in Dallas that crosses political lines, a move he sees as reflective of the broader national mood, according to FOX 4 News.
Wayne White, the CEO of the Communities Foundation of Texas, praised the joint effort among his organization, UNT Dallas, the city, and the police, aligning with the foundation’s original vision. He told KDH News that Dallas stands out for its willingness to give and work together on public-private projects.
The planned academy is expected to have shared spaces, classrooms, top-notch gym areas, running tracks, and virtual-reality training tools. This is a big step up from the current academy, which faces problems like mold and lacks essential facilities.
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The academy aims to be more than just for the Dallas Police Department; it’s envisioned as a training center for the region. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson is excited about the project, believing it could become a model for police training nationwide.
Chief Garcia also stressed the importance of the new facility, telling KDH News that the current state is “embarrassing” and not reflective of their true identity. With this significant funding now secured, Dallas is on its way to enhancing how police officers are prepared and improving their morale.
