TYLER, TX- (City of Tyler) A safer Tyler starts with officers who are well-trained, well-equipped, and ready to serve. On Wednesday, May 28, the Tyler City Council approved a $1.8 million contract with Watson Commercial Construction to transform the former National Guard Armory on East Commerce Street into a state-of-the-art Regional Police Training Facility.

The Tyler Police Department will convert the existing structure into a centralized training hub for both cadets and current officers. The renovated space will include classrooms, locker rooms, a gym and scenario-based training areas, giving officers the tools and environment they need to sharpen their skills and better respond to emergencies.

Bringing all training resources under one roof will increase efficiency, reduce travel between sites, and allow officers to spend more time in the community. The project is funded through the Half Cent Sales Tax.

This facility will further support the Tyler Police Department’s nationally recognized standards. The department holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), a distinction earned by only 3% of law enforcement agencies across the country. The new facility will help maintain and build on that standard of excellence by providing advanced, consistent training in a modern setting.