New Law Enforcement Training Facility Opens at Manatee Technical College
A new law enforcement training facility at Manatee Technical College in Myakka City is set to enhance the skills of future officers while providing ongoing education for current law enforcement personnel. Local officials celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a significant step in bolstering regional recruitment and retention efforts.
The City of Bradenton Law Enforcement Training Center, developed in collaboration with the City of Bradenton, the Bradenton Police Department, Manatee Technical College, and the Manatee County School District, offers state-of-the-art resources. The facility includes an outdoor pistol and rifle range, a 300x600 driving pad, a simulated shoot house, and observation towers.
For years, law enforcement recruits trained at an indoor commercial range after Manatee Technical College lost access to its original driving pad and firing range in 2015. In 2020, academy director Jay Romine began working with city leaders and the police department to develop a new facility to meet training needs.
The training center will allow recruits and current officers to engage in realistic, hands-on training in critical areas such as firearms, emergency vehicle operations, and tactical response. The facility will also serve as a resource for law enforcement agencies across the region, offering advanced and specialized courses to enhance officer readiness.
Previously, academy recruits had to travel to Pinellas County for driving instruction. With the new facility, law enforcement trainees will now have access to comprehensive training locally. The center is expected to be pivotal in preparing law enforcement personnel to serve and protect Manatee County and the surrounding areas effectively.
