The LETC was approved by voters as part of the May 2024 City of Dallas Bond, which included $50 million for construction of a new facility to replace the aging DPD Police Academy at Red Bird. In addition to funds from the 2024 Bond, to date, the City has received $25 million in grants from the State Legislature and $21.5 million from private donations, totaling $96.5 million in committed funds. Private donations for the LETC are expected to reach up to $70 million.  

City staff briefed the Council on the planned construction schedule of the LETC, which is projected to break ground in September 2026, with completion slated for 2028.  

“There is strong momentum moving this project forward,  and once it is finished, our City will realize enormous benefits, such as improved police recruiting, and a police force trained in state-of-the-art operations,” said Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. “The new training curriculum, developed in partnership with UNT Dallas, will ensure that our officers are skilled in community policing, as well as effective crime reduction methods.”  

Staff also presented plans for a second facility, which would include components such as a training course for emergency vehicle operations, and a firearm range.  Potential sites for the Public Safety Training Complex (PSTC) were presented to the City Council for consideration.  Costs for the PSTC are estimated at $169 million.  

During the briefing, the Dallas City Council requested additional information on funding options for the training facilities. There is a planned briefing in June 2026 for the City Council to hear proposed  strategies to secure funds for several City public safety programs, as well as the new DPD Training Facilities.