Prince George's County Celebrates New Public Safety Training Facilities

LARGO, MD – Today, October 30, 2023, Prince George’s County celebrated three new facilities that are either completed or under construction to support the County’s public safety agencies. Public safety leaders cut the ribbon on two new facilities that are opening, a Canine Training Facility and Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Training Facility, and broke ground on a new Special Operations Division Center.

“Our Administration is committed to ensuring our public safety agencies have the resources they need to effectively serve our communities and keep our residents safe,” said Alsobrooks. “Replacing some of our aging public safety infrastructure with new, state-of-the-art facilities and technology will help our public safety personnel quickly respond to threats and emergencies. At the same time, we are engaging local, small, and minority-owned businesses in these construction projects, helping build generational wealth for Prince Georgians.”

The Canine Training Facility and Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Training Facility construction projects were overseen by the Prince George’s County Office of Central Services (OCS). Both facilities are a $17 million construction project completed by a County-Based Small Business, Nardi Construction. These new training facilities will help public safety personnel receive the training they need to keep residents safe.

The 10,000 square feet Canine Training Facility provides program support space, training, and canine housing for the Prince George’s Police Department. The 2,600 square feet Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) features a mile-long driving track, skills pad, and a slow skills pad for maneuvering in tight areas. The driving track is designed to meet the largest Fire/EMS vehicle in weight and length and will support multiple public safety agencies with driving training, as well as the Department of Public Works & Transportation.

The Special Operations Division Center is a new construction project that is currently underway, also overseen by the Office of Central Services. The facility is a $23 million project, and the selected contractor is a County-Based Small Business and Minority Business Enterprise, Warren Builds.

The new 50,000 square feet headquarters for police special operations will be used to house the Tactical Section, Traffic Section, Canine Section, Aviation Section, National Harbor Section, the Special Services Section, Crossing Guard Unit, and Automated Enforcement Unit. The new facility ensures the Special Operations Division has the infrastructure and resources needed to effectively respond to situations. In addition, the location of the facility will reduce response times and enhance operational efficiency to respond rapidly to emergencies or threats.

These new facilities represent the latest step forward for one of the County Executive’s overall Proud Priorities, “Safe Neighborhoods.” The Alsobrooks Administration believes that the cornerstone of maintaining safe communities is an unyielding commitment to establishing and maintaining positive collaboration between County Government, law enforcement, and the communities they serve.

Proud Priorities represent County Executive Alsobrooks’ commitment to building and maintaining a 21st century County Government infrastructure that meets the wholistic needs of Prince Georgians. The Proud Priorities fall under six categories: Education, Youth Development, Quality of Life, Economic Development, Healthy Communities, and Safe Neighborhoods. Of the 176 projects that have been identified, 164 are completed or ongoing.

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