DALLAS — Dallas officials are moving forward with plans for a new police training center at the University of North Texas at Dallas while also considering a second major public safety training complex, according to a briefing presented to the Dallas City Council.
The City Council received an update April 15, 2026, on the Law Enforcement Training Center, or LETC, which voters approved as part of the May 2024 city bond package.
The bond included $50 million for construction of the new facility, which will replace the aging Dallas Police Academy at Red Bird.
City officials said the project has secured $96.5 million in committed funding so far, including $25 million in state grants and $21.5 million in private donations. Private contributions are expected to reach as much as $70 million.
Construction is projected to begin in September 2026, with completion targeted in 2028.
“There is strong momentum moving this project forward,” Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert said. “Once it is finished, our City will realize enormous benefits, such as improved police recruiting, and a police force trained in state-of-the-art operations.”
Tolbert said a new training curriculum developed in partnership with UNT Dallas will focus on both community policing and crime reduction strategies.
City staff also briefed council members on a proposed second facility, the Dallas Police Department Public Safety Training Complex, which would include features such as an emergency vehicle operations course and a firearm range.
The projected cost for that second facility is $169 million.
Council members requested additional information on funding options for both projects. Another briefing is planned for June, when officials are expected to present strategies to secure funding for the new facilities and other public safety initiatives.
