City of Denton Public Safety Training Facility

The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

The City of Denton, Texas will utilize the FY 2010 Congressionally Recommended Award to purchase equipment for the City of Denton Public Safety Training Facility. The facility will offer training courses for police and fire department employees in the greater North Texas region, including agencies in Denton, Dallas, Collin, Cooke, Wise, and Tarrant counties.

The training facility will offer a variety of training courses through both in-service and new recruit academy formats. This will enhance the ability for regional officers to respond to a variety of law enforcement issues. Through joint training with area fire departments, officers will receive enhanced training on domestic preparedness and homeland security. It is anticipated that the facility will provide training that will augment the delivery of law enforcement and public safety services to the citizens served by the agencies in the North Texas area.

Grant funds will be used to purchase a wide array of training equipment such as less-than-lethal training weapons, firearm simulator and targets, taser camera systems, tactical furniture, cameras for crime scene training, and a passenger bus for training exercises. The bus will provide student officers the opprtunity to work in a linear environment when responding to a terrorist attack, active shooter on a school bus, or an incident on a commuter train car.

NCA/NCF