Dallas City Council Debates Plans for New Police Training Facilities

Council members raise concerns over costs and communication around the proposed $400 million project.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:50am

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A realistic yet dreamlike painting of a single-story government building in warm earth tones, with long shadows cast across the facade, conceptually representing the political tensions over the police training facility project.The proposed public safety training complex raises concerns over cost and transparency, even as the city seeks to address the deteriorating conditions of its aging police facilities.Dallas Today

The Dallas City Council questioned city staff over plans to ask voters for a $250 million bond to cover the estimated $400 million cost of building two new police training facilities - the Law Enforcement Training Center and the Public Safety Training Complex. Council members criticized the lack of communication around the project, particularly the plan to build the PSTC near the Dallas Executive Airport, and expressed concerns about the ballooning costs.

Why it matters

The proposed police training facilities are a major investment in Dallas' public safety infrastructure, but the project has faced scrutiny from city council members over transparency and fiscal responsibility. The outcome of this debate could impact the city's ability to modernize and improve police training for years to come.

The details

The plan calls for a $250 million bond to cover the nearly $400 million estimated cost of the two new facilities - the Law Enforcement Training Center (LETC) at the University of North Texas at Dallas campus, and the Public Safety Training Complex (PSTC) near the Dallas Executive Airport. Council member Zarin Gracey, who represents the area around the airport, criticized city staff for not communicating the plans to build the PSTC's gun range near neighborhoods. Other council members raised concerns about the project's ballooning costs, which have nearly tripled from a $140 million estimate in 2021.

  • The city plans a groundbreaking at UNT-Dallas in September 2026.
  • A June briefing is planned for the council to hear proposed funding strategies.

The players

Zarin Gracey

Dallas City Council member representing the area around the Dallas Executive Airport.

Adam Bazaldua

Dallas City Council member who expressed disappointment in the project's direction.

Maxie Johnson

Dallas City Council member who emphasized the need to address the disrepair of the existing police training complex.

Chad West

Dallas City Council member who said the project is a "no-brainer" and the city needs to find a way to make it happen.

Sean Pease

President of the Dallas Police Association, who stressed the urgency of upgrading the outdated police training facilities.

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What they’re saying

“When you don't communicate and don't give me an opportunity to communicate with my constituents, it becomes a tough climb.”

— Zarin Gracey, Dallas City Council member

“This is a horrible message to send to the public this isn't how we should be doing business. I'm really disappointed in where we are with this project.”

— Adam Bazaldua, Dallas City Council member

“If we continue to kick the can down the road, nothing will be completed.”

— Maxie Johnson, Dallas City Council member

“To me it's a no-brainer and I think we have to find a way to do it.”

— Chad West, Dallas City Council member

“We've been in this temporary facility for 35 years. We have no more room there.”

— Sean Pease, President, Dallas Police Association

What’s next

The city plans a June briefing for the council to hear proposed funding strategies for the $400 million police training facilities project.

The takeaway

The Dallas City Council's debate over the police training facilities project highlights the challenges of balancing public safety needs, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement. The council's concerns over communication and costs will likely shape the final proposal that goes before voters.