BRTC Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for LETA Barracks

On November 13, Black River Technical College (BRTC) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA) barracks.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. During her speech she showed her deep appreciation for Arkansas law enforcement, and commended BRTC’s Law Enforcement Training Academy for all of their hard work and their contribution to the law enforcement community in Arkansas. Also speaking with Governor Sanders was BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger, Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training Director Chris Chapmond, and Arkansas Senator Blake Johnson.

"The facility we’re breaking ground for will not only provide generations of future law enforcement officers with the training and resources they need to serve and protect our communities effectively, but it will also symbolize a legacy of commitment to fostering a safer, stronger Arkansas,” Eggensperger said.

The Law Enforcement Training Academy at BRTC is the only training academy affiliated with a college in the state of Arkansas. The academy mainly serves Northeast Arkansas but they have had officers from all across the state attend the program. LETA trains around 120 officers a year from local stations and sheriff’s offices, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Highway Police, and other local and state agencies.

For many officers attending the academy traveling can become a major problem. Due to some officers living in other areas of the state it is not practical for them to drive home every day. In the past, to help with the stress of travel, BRTC has rented local motels for officers to stay in during the school week. Motel rent alone was the program’s second highest budget item. BRTC believes having on-campus facilities would not only take care of rental costs, but would benefit the well-being of the officers and the program.

In order to build the barracks BRTC received $4.7 million from the Arkansas State and Local Recovery Funds distributed by the American Rescue Plan Act. The money has enabled BRTC to begin construction of a two-story living facility for officers attending the academy. The barracks will be able to house 60 students and four faculty members. They will also be able to house guest instructors from FEMA, U.S. Secret Service, ATF, FBI, CJI, and Arkansas State Police. The barracks were designed by Brackett-Kennerich Architects and are being constructed by Clark General Contractors, Inc.

For more information about the Law Enforcement Training Academy visit https://blackrivertech.edu/college-coursework/academic-units/service-programs/leta/.