Police agencies from nine West Valley cities have worked with Glendale Community College to launch a full-time law enforcement training academy serving the needs of their respective communities. 

The nine cities, Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Peoria, Surprise, Tolleson and Wickenburg will begin sending their new police recruits to the Glendale Community College Law Enforcement Training Academy (GCC LETA).

The first academy class will begin training Monday, Sept. 26. An opening ceremony takes place at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 27. 

The collaborative nature of this academy will strengthen the relationship between West Valley agencies and enhance consistent protocols to incidents requiring a multi-agency response, a GCC news release explains. Dr. Genea Stephens, Glendale Community College law enforcement training director, noted that “the need for an additional full-time Police Academy in the West Valley has emerged as a critical need as the West Valley grows and other options for training police officers have become more limited.”   

The first academy class will consist of approximately 30 recruits, with the goal training 100 recruits annually. Graduates will receive a certificate in Law Enforcement from Glendale Community College, which equals 40 academic credit hours. This is in addition to becoming certified as Peace Officers by the Arizona Peace Officers Training and Standards Board.

The training will take place at the multi-jurisdictional Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center, 11550 W. Glendale Ave. Instructors and equipment such as cars, ammunition, etc., will be provided by each of the participating cities’ police agencies. 

Police chiefs and officials from the nine West Valley cities, along with GCC representatives, will be in attendance at the opening ceremony for the GCC LETA. The event will include an honor guard and welcoming comments from chiefs and GCC leadership.