City of Norman

PROJECT PURPOSE

Provides necessary modernization of aging training facility used for the training and ongoing development of law enforcement officers. The facility is used regularly by multiple Cleveland County, State, and federal law enforcement agencies. Improvements will provide necessary resources for continued high-quality training improving public safety.

EVIDENCE

The Norman Police Department Training Facility has been in a state of decline throughout the years. Unfortunately, the city's budget has only allowed for marginal maintenance of the facility. The training facility is old, outdated, and severely lacking in technology, hindering the agency's ability to provide updated and advanced training for officers. The last several years' events have proven that frequent, up-to-date, and innovative training for law enforcement officers is critical to providing the most professional public safety service to the public.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The Norman Police Department, like most entities, was forced to drastically alter operations, practices, training, and every other facet of life during 2020 and portions of 2021 because of the pandemic. At one point, the department altered responses to all calls for police service with the exception of calls involving the potential for injury or death. All in-person and real-life scenario-based training was forced to stop. The result of the drastic measures is that officers lost valuable training in crisis intervention, child and elder abuse, de-escalation, critical incidents, mental health, use of force, motor vehicle operation, and a multitude of other areas. A progressive, forward-thinking, and well-trained police force is crucial to public safety and a society where inclusiveness and equality are championed. The pandemic furthered a divide between the city's less advantaged and vulnerable population, whether the divide is perceived or real. A new modern facility would allow the Norman Police Department to properly and adequately train officers to better prepare for the challenges of 21st century policing. It would also help us create a modern, technologically advanced regionally based training facility that will ultimately help to deliver the most advanced, well-trained law enforcement product for numerous communities.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

First, the project will continually be monitored and evaluated to ensure to the degree possible, all construction is within budget and timetable guidelines. Once the new training facilities are constructed and or renovated, performance will be based on the number of training sessions completed by Norman PD officers and our regional law enforcement partners. The project's performance will also be measured on multiple matrixes. Data will be tracked and analyzed for performance indicators before and after the training to include officer complaints, use of force data (to include injury rates), and critical incident preparedness.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma