INDIANAPOLIS - State Senator Jim Arnold (D-LaPorte) told a state commission earlier this week that he believes more funding should be dedicated to the state's primary law enforcement training academy. Arnold testified before the Commission on State Tax and Financing Policy on July 29, 2008, at the commission's first meeting of the year.

"Use of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy has grown without a comparable increase in funding," Arnold commented. "During many programs the facility is simply at capacity, and the rooms can be overcrowded for trainees."

Arnold, who requested that the issue be added to the commission's agenda, was joined at the hearing on Tuesday by Executive Director Rusty Goodpaster and Deputy Director Michael Lindsay of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

The facility, located in Plainfield, provides training for police officers who serve on city, town, and county forces as well as with the Indiana State Police. Nearly 500 recruits are trained at the facility each year at a cost of approximately $6,500 each, in addition to ongoing training of more than 1,000 officers. Arnold said the costs of new technology in weaponry, ammunition for trainees, and facility updates to accommodate growing class sizes prompted the new request.

"We have mandated training for all of our officers through statute, and it is our obligation to continue to maintain and upgrade our facilities and training to assure the top quality, most professionally trained officers that we have grown to expect," Arnold said. 

Arnold, a former LaPorte County Sheriff, added, "I am honored that I was asked to spearhead the effort to secure more funding for this essential public safety resource."

The Commission on State Tax and Financing is a legislative commission charged with reviewing a variety of related issues during the General Assembly's interim.  Recommendations from the commission are often the basis for future legislation. More information about this and other legislative commissions and interim committees is available online at www.in.gov/legislative/interim.

For more information on Sen. Arnold or other State Senate business, call 1-800-382-9467 or visit http://www.senatedemocrats.in.gov/.  

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