The Dallas City Council approved a lease agreement with the University of North Texas Dallas campus for a new law enforcement training center.
The deal clears the path for a 20-acre police academy and criminal justice facility on the university campus.
The partnership marks a shift in how Dallas trains its officers, blending academic resources with modern law enforcement instruction. It also brings significant public investment to southern Dallas, where no police academy has previously existed.
The new facility will house the Dallas Police Department’s training academy alongside a Criminal Justice Center. Modern classrooms, indoor simulation labs, and defensive tactics areas will replace aging training infrastructure.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to preparing officers through modern, state-of-the-art, community-connected training,” said Dominique Artis, Dallas Chief of Public Safety. “The combination of a police academy and Criminal Justice Center at a university campus enhances recruitment, education, and public trust.”
The collaboration with UNT-Dallas opens new pathways for both officers and students. Research opportunities, continuing education programs, and career pipelines will connect the campus to local talent pools.
Still, the project faces a lengthy timeline. Construction won’t begin until 2026, with funding coming from the 2024 Bond Program that voters passed in May.
State funds and private donations will supplement the bond money. The site will complement another planned Public Safety Complex that will serve as field training grounds for both police and fire departments.
That dual-campus approach reflects months of coordination among city officials, university leaders, and community stakeholders. Design teams will now finalize plans to meet both operational needs and community expectations.
The southern Dallas location is particularly significant. As the area’s first police training academy, it represents a long-term commitment to a part of the City often overlooked for major investments.
Modern training technology will anchor the facility’s approach. Simulation environments and flexible classroom spaces will prepare officers for contemporary policing challenges.