After more than four years of planning, the city recently broke ground on a $5.4 million police fire arms training center for TPD’s 994 sworn officers. The $5.4 million practice range will be built next to the city’s McKay Bay garbage incinerator.
By all accounts, it’s needed–given that TPD officers currently use the Hillsborough County sheriff’s range in Lithia. The drive takes officers off patrol.
And by all accounts, the funding mechanism couldn’t be more appropriate because, as Mayor Bob Buckhorn put it, “the bad guys are the ones paying for the construction.” Literally true. The mayor was referring to the Law Enforcement Trust Fund picking up the $5.4 million tab. The LETF is money seized from drug dealers and other felons.