“This facility has played a pivotal role in enhancing the skills of our officers, engaging with our community, and fostering collaboration across various city and local agencies,” Wilson stated.
Since opening, the training center in mid-April 2024, it’s seen approximately 400 officer attendances and 31 civilian attendances across 16 classes at the center. Wilson says the number reflects total attendances, meaning many officers attended multiple classes, demonstrating their dedication to continuous training and development.
“In addition, our virtual reality (VR) training initiative has been particularly impactful, with 11 VR trainers (eight from outside agencies) facilitating simulations. We estimate that over 100 individual officers and approximately 25 civilians have participated in at least one VR training session, further enhancing situational preparedness and decision-making skills,” he said.
The Training Center also hosts a range of specialized training classes, including High-Risk Traffic Stops, De-escalation, Control Tactics, Emergency Medical Response, and more.
“In partnership with Mobile Training Unit #12, we host mandated training classes for regional police departments. We currently have two MTU-12 classes scheduled in the first three months of 2025, ensuring continuous skill development for officers in the area,” according to Wilson.
In addition to training programs, the center regularly hosts meetings for area chiefs of police and the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office, as well as meetings for various city departments and local non-city agencies. Several area police chiefs have toured the facility as they plan to implement similar training centers of their own.
“Our training center has been recognized as a great example of an effective, modern facility that other agencies aspire to replicate,” according to Wilson.
The Citizens Police Academy and Junior Citizens Police Academy also were at the training center in the past year, with 21 and 22 participants, respectively.
“These programs underscore our commitment to fostering positive relationships with the community and providing insight into the vital role of law enforcement,” Wilson stated. “We are proud of the significant contributions the Danville Police Training Center has made to our community and its impact on advancing the professionalism of our officers. We look forward to continuing to serve as a resource for training, collaboration, and community engagement.”
The training center was made possible through the assistance of former state Sen. Scott Bennett, who died in December 2022.
The city received a $1 million Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant to enhance violent crime prevention and community/police development. The grant provided funding for the training center within a section of the Public Works facility that wasn’t being used, as well as improvements to Friendly Town and funding for police equipment, training, supplies and the enhancement of police/community programs such as with radar speed signs throughout Danville and a new online police reporting system for citizens.
