Bastrop County Sheriff Maurice Cook is looking to get approval to build a training complex for the sheriff’s office, where officials can enhance the skills needed to perform their duties.
Cook submitted his proposal to the Bastrop County commissioners on July 8, and said he hopes it will soon be placed on the agenda for consideration.
What you need to know
Despite being the only Texas Commission on Law Enforcement training provider in the county, Cook said the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office has no dedicated training facility. The BCSO uses one classroom capable of seating 40 students; however, Cook said parking is tight.
“We don’t have a dedicated firing range right now, either,” he said. “We utilize the Smithville Police Department’s firing range, which is contentious at times and not available on our schedule.”
Additionally, Cook said the BCSO’s insurance company has requested that they increase firearms training to every quarter, which Cook said will be difficult without their own firing range.
“Smithville has indicated that they may have to withdraw our use of their range since we use it much more often than Smithville PD already,” he said.
The details
The proposed 40-acre spot is a county-owned property in Red Rock, situated at 370 John Craft Road. The area is being used to house a radio tower, but Cook said it would not be affected.
Cook said he would like to see the following at the new complex:
- A driving track
- A building to support scenarios including crime scene investigations, building-entry techniques, use-of-force practical exercises, and other training exercises while providing a year-round protected environment
- A large, general-use classroom
- Outdoor pistol and rifle ranges
- Enough parking to accommodate officials during training exercises
What else?
This is not the first time a dedicated training facility has been proposed to the commissioners, Cook said, adding that they requested a site several years ago, but it was not approved due to public opposition. No alternative sites were suggested at that time.
If approved by the commissioners, Cook said the next step would be to set realistic goals regarding each phase of the project.
“It would not require any immediate funding or any elaborate engineering studies,” he said.
