Missouri State University and the city of Camdenton will sign an agreement May 16 allowing Missouri State to use a Camdenton city facility as a Public Safety Training Center (PSTC).

The center will offer continuing education for Missouri law enforcement officers, fire fighters and EMT/first responders. The training will be offered through the PSTC and provide Police Officers Standards Training (POST) as authorized by the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

The signing will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Camdenton City Hall Council Chambers.

Meeting new standards

With a new law enacted last year, officers are required to obtain 24 contact hours of training annually. Scheduled to open in July, the PSTC will provide basic and advanced training, both classroom and tactical, in a convenient location for agencies across the region.

“The partnerships with the city and local law enforcement agencies allow MSU to bring regional and national expertise to the area and provides an opportunity for a convenient and flexible training cycle,” said Cody Brewington, MSU PSTC coordinator. “In addition, it is our plan that the PSTC will generate revenue for the local economy during the non-peak tourism season by bringing in local and statewide agencies to train at the center.”

This initiative is in response to needs identified by Camdenton Mayor John McNabb, the Camdenton City Council and local law enforcement agencies.

“The city of Camdenton is very excited to enter into partnership with Missouri State University to provide many different educational opportunities for the people of our area,” said McNabb. “The Public Safety Training Center will provide much needed training for law enforcement personnel, while making it easily accessible to officers from our region.”

A peek inside

The center provides classrooms, locker rooms and showers, security, Wi-Fi, computer lounge and free parking. Its location, 35 College St., also places it within walking distance of downtown amenities.

“We look forward to the high quality training Missouri State will provide to meet the continuing education requirements for POST,” said Camdenton Police Chief Laura Wright. “It will not only be available to the lake area law enforcement agencies, but our central location will make it convenient for agencies across the state to participate as well. And what better place to go to training than beautiful Lake of the Ozarks.”

Missouri State will also provide dual credit options for Camdenton high school students.