Dallas Seeks Voter Approval for $400M Police Training Facilities

City proposes new bond to fund expanded police academy and firing range complex after costs balloon from initial $140M estimate.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:19am

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A serene, photorealistic painting depicting an empty, sunlit police training facility with a minimalist architectural design, conveying a sense of contemplation and the importance of investing in public safety infrastructure.As Dallas seeks voter approval for a new police training complex, the city's aging facilities highlight the need for modern, well-equipped spaces to prepare officers for the challenges of 21st-century policing.Dallas Today

The city of Dallas is seeking voter approval for a new bond to fund the construction of a $400 million police training complex, after the original $140 million budget estimate ballooned due to rising construction costs and the need for additional facilities. The project includes a $227 million training center at the University of North Texas at Dallas campus and a proposed $169 million driving track and gun range near the Dallas Executive Airport.

Why it matters

The new training facilities are seen as crucial for recruiting and retaining police officers in Dallas, which faces a voter-approved mandate to add hundreds of new officers. However, the escalating costs have raised concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers.

The details

The city's original plan for a $140 million police training academy at the University of North Texas at Dallas campus has now grown to $227 million. Additionally, the city is proposing a $169 million second location near the Dallas Executive Airport that would include a driving track and gun range. In total, the project's cost has ballooned to nearly $400 million, more than double the initial estimate. The city says rising construction costs, including the impact of higher oil prices, have contributed to the increased expenses.

  • In 2021, the city of Dallas projected a training academy cost of $140 million.
  • In March 2025, the city estimated $80 million for the Law Enforcement Training Center and at least $70 million for the Public Safety Training Complex, with the total cost reaching $275 million by June.
  • The current cost for the entire project now stands at nearly $400 million.

The players

Dallas Police Department

The city's police department, which is in need of updated training facilities to meet recruitment and retention goals.

University of North Texas at Dallas

The site of the proposed $227 million Law Enforcement Training Center, part of the overall police training complex project.

Dallas Executive Airport

The proposed location for a $169 million driving track and gun range, the second part of the police training complex.

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What’s next

If the City Council approves, Dallas voters will be asked in a November bond election to fund the remaining $250 million needed to complete the police training complex project.

The takeaway

The escalating costs of the Dallas police training facilities have raised concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers, but city officials view the new complex as crucial for recruiting and retaining officers to meet the city's public safety needs.