'State-of-the-art' police training village officially opens in Nassau County
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi was on Long Island for the opening of the new Nassau Police Training Village in East Garden City.
More Stories
A major training tool for law enforcement at both the local and federal level, is right here on Long Island – the new Nassau Police Training Village in East Garden City.
It's designed to look like a real village. There are homes, a church, gas station and even a train station among other buildings.
It's a state-of-the-art training space for police to practice and prepare for real-world situations.
"The first time you do something, should not be the first time it's real, you should have gone through the training over and over again," says Patrick Ryder, commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department.
There are cameras everywhere, they're outside and inside. It's all part of the training. This unique tool next to the David Mack Center for Training and Intelligence is gaining federal attention.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stopped in for the ribbon cutting Sunday.
"You're going to get the training you need, it will ensure officers are prepared for all the dangerous encounters you face," Bondi told the crowd.
The space is receiving bipartisan support.
"We have to work together across state and federal lines, that's how good government works, seeing the support from the federal government here in Nassau County, we need to see more of that," says Nassau County legislator Seth Koslow.
Law enforcement officials say they are looking forward to what's in store for this village. It will not only be used locally but is also available for federal departments.
"We open up our door for everybody," says Ryder.
