Regional Public Safety Complex Approved For Bonding In Enfield
A $12.8 million bonding package will permit expansion into a regional training and dispatch center including three neighboring towns.
Tim Jensen, Patch Staff
The current Enfield public safety complex will be expanded into a regional training and dispatch center, servicing the neighboring towns of Suffield, East Windsor and Windsor Locks as well. (Tim Jensen/Patch)
ENFIELD, CT — A regional public safety complex, expanding the current police station into a facility which would provide joint police and EMS training with neighboring departments, is one step closer to reality with the approval of $12.8 million in bonding for the project.
The town of Enfield recently acquired seven acres of land adjacent to the current police department headquarters for $240,000 and has increased its ranks of sworn police officers from 95 to 100. The regional center would serve as a training facility for Enfield, Suffield, East Windsor and Windsor Locks, and has received support from the State's Attorney's Office.
Town Manager Chris Bromson said, "We would like to thank Governor [Ned] Lamont for his support and funding of our public safety complex initiative. The Enfield Town Council's leadership in purchasing land adjacent to the existing police department made this expansion possible. Our proposal was a genuine regional approach to a common goal of enhanced police training and professionalism. We collaborated with Suffield, East Windsor and Windsor Locks in this vision, and thank them for their support of the complex. These actions continue along the proud tradition of Enfield supporting its police department and making public safety a number one priority in our community."
"The Enfield Police Department is extremely pleased by the news as to the state bond funding for an expansion of our facility, and also extremely grateful for the collective efforts of our state elected officials and town staff that worked tirelessly to make this happen," Chief Alaric Fox said. "This expansion will allow the department to integrate a social services function into agency operations, and to provide a state-of-the-art training platform that will further our position as a regional leader in modern day policing techniques that best serve our community."
Enfield will receive $12,843,867 for the complex. State Rep. Tom Arnone sponsored the bond, which was co-sponsored by state Rep. Carol Hall.
"Enfield has always been a leader in police, EMS and dispatch training," Arnone said. "This facility will provide training to area departments, ensuring cooperation and coordination between departments."