By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing:
• Connecticut officials are seeking federal funding to build a regional active-shooter training center after two police officers were killed in the line of duty.
• The city of (article location) plans to use funds from the Department of Justice’s Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program for the project.
• The effort follows the deaths of two officers who were fatally shot while responding to a call in 2025.
• Local leaders and law enforcement officials say the center would provide enhanced training for regional agencies.
BRISTOL, Conn. — Officials in Connecticut are pursuing a federal justice assistance grant to fund the construction of a dedicated active-shooter training facility following the 2025 killings of two local police officers, according to city representatives.
Don Stacom/TNS
City leaders announced plans this week to apply for Department of Justice Byrne JAG funds that would support design and construction of the regional training center, which they say would serve multiple law enforcement agencies in the area.
The officers were killed last year while responding to a reported disturbance, an incident that prompted calls from public safety officials for expanded and realistic training opportunities to better prepare officers for high-risk scenarios.
Officials say the proposed facility would include classrooms and live-fire and simulated training environments intended to improve response capabilities for active-shooter and other critical incidents.
The grant application is pending federal review, and city leaders say they will move forward with design planning whether or not the current request is approved.