KU NEWS
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The University of Kansas celebrated the opening of two new facilities at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center near Hutchinson with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 2, marking a major milestone in expanding training opportunities for Kansas law enforcement and public safety partners.
Designed by Hoefer Welker and built by McCownGordon Construction, the project includes office space, eight multipurpose classrooms that provide flexibility for real-world training scenarios, and a 46-suite dormitory for students attending extended courses.
“These buildings are not isolated projects,” said Darin Beck, KLETC vice provost and director of police training for the state of Kansas. “They are visible steps in a long-term vision for a campus capable of meeting Kansas law enforcement needs for decades to come.”
The State of Kansas made the $20 million project possible through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins said the investment represents more than the construction of two new buildings.
“This is much bigger than just a couple of new buildings,” Hawkins said. “Every community in Kansas depends on well-trained, professional law enforcement officers. Whether an officer serves in Wichita, Hutchinson or one of the smaller rural communities, Kansas expects them to be prepared for some of the most difficult situations imaginable.”
The investment by KU and KLETC will expand the campus's ability to provide law enforcement professionals with the training and resources they need to serve communities across Kansas.
KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod thanked the Kansas Legislature for its support of the project and highlighted how KLETC's mission aligns with the university's broader commitment to serving communities.
“As we think about what happens here and how it aligns with the mission of our university, our mission is to educate the leaders of tomorrow, help build healthy, vibrant and safe communities, and make discoveries that change the world,” Girod said. “I'm not sure there is any part of our university that is a more concrete example of that mission than KLETC, where we educate the leaders of tomorrow in law enforcement and help make our communities safe so they can thrive and grow economically.”
As the ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the project, Beck emphasized that the new facilities represent more than an expansion of the KLETC campus. They
represent another step in preparing the center to meet the changing needs of Kansas law enforcement.
“Today we cut ribbons on two buildings, but what we are really opening is another chapter in KLETC’s history,” Beck said. “We intend to honor the legacy of those who built this institution while continuing to evolve for the next generation of professionals. Training starts here. Impact happens everywhere.”