Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead issued a statement on Friday addressing the recent approval of a $16 million training facility for his department. The Durham County Board of Commissioners approved the project in a 3-2 vote earlier this week.
The new facility, located on Electra Road, aims to replace the current training center, which dates back to 1985 and lacks basic amenities such as running water and restrooms. The approved upgrades include a 10,000-square-foot building featuring classrooms, bathrooms, and improved security measures.
Sheriff Birkhead expressed his approval of the project’s advancement but also addressed concerns raised by the two commissioners who opposed the funding. He emphasized his commitment to alternative responses to mental health issues, highlighting the department’s longstanding participation in Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) and his involvement in the Governor’s Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice.
Community reactions to the project have been mixed. Some residents and activist groups, such as Durham Beyond Policing, have protested the allocation of funds, advocating for investments in housing, education, and programs like the Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Team (HEART), which provides unarmed responses to non-violent crises.
In his statement, Sheriff Birkhead also addressed operational challenges within the department, citing deficiencies in the Durham County Detention Facility’s fire suppression system, climate control, and security equipment. He underscored the necessity of the new training facility to enhance public safety and meet the needs of the community and department personnel.
The Bull City Citizen will continue to monitor developments related to the training facility and its impact on the Durham community.