The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) broke ground Oct. 6 on a $10 million law enforcement training facility that will cement the agency's presence at the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Samarcand Training Academy in Moore County.
"This modern training facility will greatly increase our capacity to develop new officers to the highest standards as well as maintain the professional skills required through training of the current and future workforce," explained NCWRC's Colonel Ben Meyer in a statement. "Through this partnership, DPS and NCWRC will continue to better develop and train law enforcement officers who will serve the citizens of North Carolina."
The state's wildlife resources agency has been training its recruits at Samarcand through a lease agreement with DPS since 2021. The current training complex includes a firearms training center with two ranges, a range house, a use-of-force firearms simulator and an obstacle and conditioning course.
NCWRC plans to expand the campus to include a 20,000-sq.-ft., multi-floor structure with housing to accommodate approximately 50 agency personnel and a 1,200-sq.-ft. classroom and a tactical training room.
Construction is set to begin before the end of October just as the state's number of wildlife law enforcement staff increases by an additional 16 officers. Earlier in the month, the North Carolina General Assembly approved funding for the new officers — the first increase in officer staff in 46 years....
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