Police training center loses its funding
1:15 AM
By Alicia Ebaugh Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, March 16, 2007
The Sioux City Police Department National Training Center is facing what officials hope is a temporary closure starting in June -- lasting until possibly next year -- because of a stall in federal funding.
The cuts from the Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations Act came in mid-February, about six months after the House passed it, said Sioux City Police Capt. Doug Young. It didn't come from a direct cut, however. He said a "continuing resolution" was enacted after the 2006 elections, which provides money for federal agencies and programs until regular appropriations are enacted.
But because the Training Center has to reapply for funding every year, it and many other centers like them around the country weren't included in that resolution, Young said.
"Unfortunately we got caught up in the politics ... we didn't want to tell everyone until we knew what was going on," he said. "We've been working with our congressman and senators to see if we could get discretionary funds."
No decision has been officially made about temporarily closing the Training Center until funding may be able to be re-established in the 2008 fiscal year, Young said. The center is currently running on grant funds that will run out in June.
"We're going to request support letters from the departments we've trained to send to congressmen about this," he said. Young and Police Chief Joe Frisbie are also going to attend the annual Steak Dinner in Washington, D.C., to talk to legislators.
The Training Center Web site tells people interested in classes that only a limited number of classes will be posted through June 2007.
"Those classes that you have already registered for will still be held," the Web site says.
The National Training Center has provided methamphetamine training to 21,000 officers from law enforcement departments in 39 states.
"The center provides an economic benefit for the city too," Young said. "We're still optimistic that we can keep this going."
The cuts from the Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations Act came in mid-February, about six months after the House passed it, said Sioux City Police Capt. Doug Young. It didn't come from a direct cut, however. He said a "continuing resolution" was enacted after the 2006 elections, which provides money for federal agencies and programs until regular appropriations are enacted.
But because the Training Center has to reapply for funding every year, it and many other centers like them around the country weren't included in that resolution, Young said.
"Unfortunately we got caught up in the politics ... we didn't want to tell everyone until we knew what was going on," he said. "We've been working with our congressman and senators to see if we could get discretionary funds."
No decision has been officially made about temporarily closing the Training Center until funding may be able to be re-established in the 2008 fiscal year, Young said. The center is currently running on grant funds that will run out in June.
"We're going to request support letters from the departments we've trained to send to congressmen about this," he said. Young and Police Chief Joe Frisbie are also going to attend the annual Steak Dinner in Washington, D.C., to talk to legislators.
The Training Center Web site tells people interested in classes that only a limited number of classes will be posted through June 2007.
"Those classes that you have already registered for will still be held," the Web site says.
The National Training Center has provided methamphetamine training to 21,000 officers from law enforcement departments in 39 states.
"The center provides an economic benefit for the city too," Young said. "We're still optimistic that we can keep this going."
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