CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Corpus Christi Police Department's new $23.5 million police academy will open its doors on Thursday, offering a cutting-edge facility to support the department's growing force. Situated on a nine acre plot at the Del Mar Oso Creek campus, the 34,000 sq. ft. building holds smart classrooms, crime scene simulation rooms, a gym, locker rooms, and a 400-meter synthetic track.
Since 2019, the department has added 55 officers to the police force, bringing the total to 501. The new academy provides much-needed space to accommodate this expansion, replacing the nearly 40-year-old training facility on Corona Drive.
The city’s partnership with Del Mar College has helped save taxpayer dollars. The college is leasing the land to the city for just $10 per year under a 50-year agreement.
City manager Peter Zanoni and Chief Mike Markle spoke to city Council on Tuesday about the significance of the new facility ahead of Thursday's ribbon cutting.
"I was in that originally building just a few years after we bought it. Over 35 years ago I went to class in that building," Markle said to the cadets. "You are the only ones, at least in my lifetime, that will see what we had previously to what we have now, You'll have a unique understanding of how far we've come as an agency."
"I know I've heard that from many police officers, 'This is something.'," Zanoni said. "It gives them a sense of pride for being for being members of our family. it will inspire next generation of police officers when they see something like that."
The new academy is a significant upgrade over the old facility. It will have modern amenities such as tactical training rooms and an armory. It will also feature large smart classrooms to enhance learning experiences for cadets.
The academy marks a new chapter in the department's training efforts, setting the stage for the development of skilled officers in the years to come.