New training center unveiled

Florence police TACT Team member Hal Howard uses a control to move a target as Steven Robertson fires at the target during a demonstration for vistitors to the department's new training facility.

By Tom Smith
Senior Staff Writer

Published: Friday, June 12, 2009 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 10:32 p.m.

FLORENCE - For two years, members of the Florence Police Department have worked with other city departments to turn a 15-acre cotton field into a modern law enforcement training facility.

On Thursday morning, with representatives from various state and local agencies and departments on hand, the facility was officially unveiled.

"Congratulations to the city and the entire Shoals area for this," said Alabama Attorney General Troy King, who was on hand for the event. "Too often I come to an area for a sadder occasion, the death of an officer. It's exciting for me to be here today for something like this."

King said it is imperative to provide tools for law enforcement to be trained so they can be safe and provide protection for the community they serve.

Police Chief Rick Singleton said street and sanitation workers joined the effort at city-owned property off Gunwaleford Road by clearing land and pouring concrete pads.

The new facility has a 20-lane pistol range with moving, pop-up and running targets; a 12-lane, 100-yard sniper rifle range; and a covered six-room "shoot" house, used for close quarters tactical training. It also has a 3,200-square-foot training building, complete with conference rooms, classrooms and work areas.

The facility has an area where the department's bomb squad can practice and train.

"We have room to build a canine training facility with a kennel here," the chief said.

Singleton said the city approved $998,000; another $75,000 was secured through grants and then "there was the sweat equity that was through the labor of the officers and other city department members.

"We went several years without a training facility," Singleton said. "With the support of the City Council and the cooperation of the other city departments, we have turned this field into something great.

"This facility will be here for the next 50-60 years serving not only our department but law enforcement throughout this area of the state."

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.