Today, Sedgwick County commissioners heard a recommendation from Bid Board to house the joint city/ county law enforcement training center on the Wichita State University campus; this proposal came from MWCB, LLC. The recommended proposal includes building a new, three-story building on the innovation campus and partnering with the university’s criminal justice program. It has an estimated cost of $9.5 million.
Chairman Jim Howell proposed a joint training facility for fire service similar to city/ county law enforcement. He shared his concern with discrepancies in overall public safety training, adding that tax payer resources are not properly utilized and would like to see both fire and law enforcement training between Sedgwick County and City of Wichita.
Commissioners voted to hold an en banc meeting at the soonest practical date with the City of Wichita to discuss joint public safety training as a whole, not just the proposed law enforcement training center. Sedgwick County hopes to build on the solid relationship with the City of Wichita in regards to training law enforcement officers.
Commissioners agreed that they are fully committed to determining the best overall option for a 21st century joint law enforcement training solution for the community, law enforcement, and the taxpayer. This small delay should not be interpreted as a detractor from this commitment.
The request for proposals process began November 2015 and proposals were submitted early 2016. The date to select a proposal was extended to May 18, 2016.