News Summary
Officials from the Pennsylvania State Police and the Department of General Services celebrated a significant milestone in the construction of the new Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey. The ‘topping out’ ceremony marked the placement of the final steel beam on the Marquee Building, which will encompass dorm rooms, classrooms, and training facilities. Once complete, the academy will expand training capabilities for state, municipal, and federal law enforcement officers, while honoring the legacy of fallen troopers with a dedicated memorial.
Pennsylvania – Officials from the Pennsylvania State Police and the Department of General Services recently celebrated the progress of a new Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Academy with a “topping out” ceremony in Hershey. This ceremonial event symbolized the placement of the final steel beam on the Marquee Building, which is the primary facility of the $387.8 million PSP campus project situated along East Hersheypark Drive.
The Marquee Building is designed as a comprehensive five-story structure that will house 300 single-person dorm rooms, a 500-seat auditorium, a cafeteria, as well as various offices and classrooms to facilitate the training of new cadets. The groundbreaking for this extensive facility project occurred in December 2023, thereby ensuring a swift progression towards completion.
Upon its completion, the new PSP Academy will feature additional facilities to support training and operations. Adjacent to the Marquee Building will be two significant structures: one that includes gymnasiums, medical offices, and a training tank (pool), and another that will consist of an indoor shooting range. There will also be an open area designated as a memorial for fallen state troopers, paying tribute to those who have served valiantly.
The project encompasses the construction of new horse stables that will accommodate up to 30 horses, which are used by the Mounted Unit for community service and civil disorder management. The Mounted Unit is staffed by five full-time employees who are responsible for the horses deployed in these critical roles. Additionally, a central supply warehouse for uniforms and other supplies is under construction on the campus, which will replace a facility in Harrisburg that is currently on lease.
The Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations will transition to a new two-story building within the academy. This bureau plays a pivotal role in providing specialized training for tactical teams, K-9 units, wiretap operations, and bomb squad members. The PSP Academy is not only focused on training state troopers but also provides training programs for municipal and federal officers, ensuring a comprehensive approach that enhances public safety.
To provide cadets with practical training experiences, the academy will include new training villages designed to simulate city-like streets and varied structures. These environments will allow cadets to engage in realistic scenarios, including active shooter and hostage situations, thus ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of modern law enforcement.
The new facilities will cover a total area of 366,000 square feet, vastly expanding upon the capabilities of the current primary building that was constructed in 1958. Despite its historical significance, the older facility is now considered outdated, having trained thousands of cadets over its decades of use. In contrast, the new academy promises to offer state-of-the-art amenities vital for preparing future law enforcement professionals.
Finally, the Pennsylvania State Police Museum will remain at its current location on the campus, preserving the history and legacy of the state police as the new facilities rise to meet the demands of contemporary law enforcement training.
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