© 2024 KMUW
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

City Considers New Law Enforcement Training Center On WSU Campus

Sean Sandefur
/
KMUW

The City of Wichita is looking into the possibility of building a new law enforcement training center on Wichita State University’s campus.

Currently, both the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County train their officers at an aging facility on the northwest side of Wichita. They’ve been looking to build a new building for years.

Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell, joined by local law enforcement officials and representatives from Wichita State, outlined a plan Thursday to build the training center on Wichita State’s Innovation Campus, a massive addition being laid out on the former Braeburn Golf Course.

Credit Sean Sandefur / KMUW
/
KMUW

Construction would cost "less than" $10 million, with the city willing to pay $5 million.

The Wichita State plan would also include moving some of the university's criminal justice classrooms into the new building.

Michael Birzer, director of the School of Community Affairs, says that will benefit everyone.

“To be able to bring a training academy and combine it with a criminal justice department at an academic institution, I think this has so many opportunities to be a regional phenomenon," Birzer said.

The city is still looking at other options, and any final decision must be approved by city council members.

Sedgwick County currently isn’t on board with the plan. In a press release, the county said they’re still going through its request for proposals process and that they're looking at several options. There was no mention of building a training center on the WSU campus.

Longwell says he hopes to continue with a joint facility, and wouldn’t say whether the city would move forward on their own.

--

Follow Sean Sandefur on Twitter @SeanSandefur

To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.