Operations Training Centre - Gun Range Tour

After years of planning, a new, centralized training facility for Durham Regional Police Officers officially opened its doors June 27th in Whitby.
The Operations Training Centre (OTC) at 4060 Anderson Street in Whitby contains a new, state-of-the-art Communications and 911 Call Centre, a new 25-metre, 12-lane indoor firing range, and a secure and central home for police IT backup systems.
The 47,092 sq. ft. OTC addresses three key operational issues championed by Mike Ewles when he was sworn in as Chief Constable in June of 2007. First, the Communications and 911 Call Centre currently in Central East Division (downtown Oshawa) needed more space and had to prepare for the launch of a new, common-platform radio system for emergency services in 2014. Secondly, the DRPS has been operating without its own firing range since 1988 and has been leasing space from a private club in Ajax, making improvements in that facility to meet workplace and air quality standards. Police officers must re-qualify to use their firearms every year. Thirdly, the new facility will serve as a much-needed secure storage area for police computer hardware and software backup systems. Currently, these backup systems are in very tight quarters at 77 Centre Street, which is the home of DRPS' busiest operational division.
The 12-lane gun range uses a modern bullet catching system and the latest air-handling technology to keep the air clean of contaminants. It also features a moving target option, which will expand training options for officers. After a few months of operation, the Service will be able to determine if they have excess capacity on the firing range. If they do, the range could be rented out to other police services in need of weapon re-certification.