New Oklahoma Law Enforcement Tactical Training Facility
Oklahoma Breaks Ground on New Law Enforcement Tactical Training Facility
By Miami News-Digest
WELLSTON, Okla. (AP) — State officials and law enforcement leaders gathered this month to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Oklahoma Law Enforcement Tactical Training Facility, a cutting-edge complex designed to provide advanced training for law enforcement agencies across the state.
The new facility, located on 640 acres in Wellston at the intersection of State Highway 102 and Memorial Road, will feature several key training resources, including a driver training track, skills pad, firearms ranges, a shoot house, and bomb disposal field.
Additionally, the facility will offer dormitories, classrooms, academy staff offices, a physical education and CrossFit area, medical units, and food services. The goal is to provide law enforcement with a space for immersive, high-quality training and professional development.
Gov. Kevin Stitt emphasized the significance of the facility during the groundbreaking ceremony, stating, “These are the folks that deserve the very best training, the very best tools, and the best resources available.”
The new center will address a long-standing need for specialized law enforcement training in Oklahoma, according to Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton. “We’ve lacked a facility like this for years,” Tipton said. “It’s crucial to equip our officers with the best possible training to serve the public.”
The first phase of construction will focus on the firing range, with future phases including a driving track and reality-based training areas that simulate high-pressure situations. “This facility will allow us to immerse officers in real-world scenarios, helping them improve their decision-making and response times,” Tipton explained.
The facility will be accessible to all law enforcement agencies, including city and county departments that lack their own training centers. It aims to improve public safety by enhancing law enforcement training across Oklahoma.
Construction is expected to be completed in phases over the next three years, with the shooting range scheduled to open later this year.
Key Partners in the Project
The groundbreaking ceremony also recognized the collaboration of numerous partners. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) issued a heartfelt thank-you to the following individuals and organizations for their role in making the facility a reality:
- Governor Kevin Stitt
- Secretary of Public Safety Tricia Everest
- Former Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating
- DPS Commissioner Tim Tipton
- Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Director Donnie Anderson
- Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Steven Carter
- Lori Carter, Oklahoma ABLE Commission
- Jeff Bowles, Chief Agent in Charge, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s Office
- Chief Nathan Erdman, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
- Assistant State Fire Marshal James Fullingim
- Former State Senator Roger Thompson
- Former State Representative Kevin Wallace
- Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton
- Speaker of the House Kyle Hilbert
- State Senator Grant Green
- State Representative Jim Shaw
This collaborative effort highlights Oklahoma’s commitment to providing law enforcement agencies with the best tools, training, and support to serve and protect the public.
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