Tennessee governor, others break ground on $415M Nashville law enforcement training center

Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
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In a couple years, the vast majority of law enforcement trainees in Tennessee will get their certifications in Nashville at the new Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Training Academy.

Gov. Bill Lee, standing side-by-side with state lawmakers and law enforcement officials, broke ground on the new facility Wednesday.

“As Americans face rising crime nationwide, Tennessee is equipping law enforcement with the tools needed to keep every community safe,” Lee said in a statement. “Unprecedented times call for unprecedented support. I’ve always said that every Tennessean deserves to feel safe in their community, and this shared facility will significantly enhance training and resources that law enforcement agencies need to deliver that quality of life.”

The complex will cost an estimated $415 million to build.

The training facility will house up to 400 cadets and 200 personnel with accommodations for trainees who commute. It'll also serve as the new administrative headquarters for the Tennessee Department of Corrections and Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Housed on more than 800 acres of state-owned property, the facility will overlook the Cumberland River in the Cockrill Bend area of Nashville, next to John C. Tune Airport, Riverbend Maximum Security Institution and DeBerry Special Needs Facility.

The training facility will include:

  • A track complex for defensive driving training, a shoot house, maintenance garage, water rescue training pond and repelling tower.

  • A training academy with more than 20 classrooms, a gym, obstacle course, mock detention pods, courtroom and simulation trainings.

  • Housing for cadets, hotel-like accommodations for personnel, dining rooms and kennel facilities for K9s.

  • A firing range complex with four separate ranges, more classrooms, simulation facilities and firearm and ammunition storage.

Construction will begin this winter or in the spring of 2024 with site grading and infrastructure. Crews will then start work on the firing range, training academy and residences in the spring or summer. Phase three will finish the facility with the track complex and headquarters in early 2025.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee governor, others break ground on police training facility