Clerk of Courts allocates $300K for Lake County Sheriff's Training Center project
Jul. 1—Lake County Clerk of Courts Faith Andrews has allocated an excess of $300,000 of Certificate of Title Surplus funds to the county's General Fund to "completely fund" the Phase II development of the Lake County Sheriff's Training Facility project.
The decision comes after Andrews recently toured the site where Phase I of the new law enforcement training complex is nearing completion.
"I am a public servant who is very passionate about supporting our men in women in uniform from the military to our police officers," she said, addressing the Lake County commissioners. "It's important that we have safe communities so people can thrive. This effort is also important for economic development — people aren't going to come to Lake County if they don't feel safe."
According to officials, the center will provide resources housed in a setting where officers can enhance their decision-making skills and undergo comprehensive training in preparation for critical incidents.
Additionally, the multijurisdictional facility will "foster collaboration among law enforcement agencies across the county, which promotes enhanced coordination and teamwork...."
Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno noted that the days of police training by shooting at paper targets and then going to work in the field are no longer acceptable realities.
"Today's training," he said, "must integrate every aspect of policing, such as driving, defensive hand-to-hand tactics, verbal confrontations, and the ability to de-escalate, or, if necessary, escalate (the) encounters.
"This (modern) training requires specialized expertise to effectively and safely simulate real-world scenarios," Leonbruno added. "In such training environments, officers must make critical decisions while evaluating any number of conditions and physical requirements."
While the center will still have "the traditional live-fire range," two training buildings are being added, officials confirmed, featuring access to classrooms for weapons training, legal updates and training via Zoom from across the United States.
The second structure will house a simulation environment in a moveable wall building in which officers will be training on incidents with armed suspects, engaging in felony traffic stops, and officer/civilian down rescue situations.
Leonbruno added the limits of room configuration are endless, which will be "extremely beneficial and vital" when searching areas that are foreign and not predictable, in addition to responding to mutual aid calls.
"We need to be cognizant of the fact that this training facility is (also) as much about the training of 'Don't shoot,' " said Commissioner John Hamercheck. "These experiences that are going to be gleaned will allow our officers and deputies to make good decisions based on the facts set before them — this is all about continuing education so that we do indeed have the finest law enforcement in the state of Ohio."
Commissioner John Plecnik said the project is a huge benefit to the county.
"And we thank Clerk Andrews and her team for being a big part of it," he added.
Commissioner Richard Regovich noted the "state-of-the-art" experience will also reduce costs associated with travel and excess equipment.
"This will be a legacy we can all be proud of," he said.
